UNITED NIGERIA SUSPENDS BENIN FLIGHTS AFTER RUNWAY CLOSURE

United Nigeria Airlines has temporarily suspended all flight operations to and from Benin Airport following the closure of the airport’s runway by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

The airline announced the suspension in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its management, saying the disruption would remain in place until the runway is reopened.

PUNCH Online reports that the development came hours after an aircraft operating into Benin Airport veered off the runway after landing, prompting aviation authorities to shut the runway to facilitate recovery operations and safety assessments.

In the statement, the airline said, “We wish to inform our valued passengers and the general public that, due to the closure of the runway by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as a result of an excursion, all our flights to and from Benin Airport have been cancelled pending its reopening.”

The carrier apologised to passengers affected by the disruption and urged them to contact its customer service for assistance with rebooking and other travel arrangements.

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may have caused. All passengers who have been affected by this development are advised to contact our customer service for further information and any assistance needed with rebooking.

“We are open to offering any needed assistance because the welfare of our passengers is our priority,” the statement read.

The airline also appealed for understanding from passengers while the situation is being resolved.

“We plead for your understanding at this time and sincerely apologise again for any inconvenience this may have caused. We appreciate your patience and are immensely grateful for your trust in United Nigeria Airlines,” it added.

An aircraft excursion occurs when an aircraft departs the runway surface during take-off or landing.

Such incidents typically trigger temporary runway closures to enable aircraft recovery, inspection of airport infrastructure and safety evaluations before flight operations can resume.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is expected to reopen the runway after recovery operations and necessary safety checks have been completed, allowing normal flight operations to resume at the airport.