Some Nigerians and other passengers whose flight were diverted to Ghana following poor visibility caused by haze at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, have started returning to Nigeria by road.
The haze had forced foreign airlines including British Airways and Delta Airlines to divert Lagos-bound flights to Ghana and Senegal.
The passengers who were stranded in Accra were left with no option than to find their way back to the country by road.
“About 300 Nigerians and other passengers were abandoned in Accra and were asked to find their way to Lagos,’’ a passenger onboard of British Airways diverted flight, Michael Williams, said.
He said the flight which was supposed to land in Lagos last week Tuesday was diverted to Accra and the passengers spent another two days before returning to Lagos on Friday night on their own.
“Some of the affected passengers had to return to Nigeria by road as the airline offered them an option to return to London instead.
“We were supposed to land in Lagos last Tuesday, but unfortunately, there was a weather issue in Lagos and the flight diverted to Accra, Ghana.
“We went to Accra and they promised that they would try the next day, Wednesday. We were put in a hotel and we went back the next day, but they said the situation had not improved.
“By Thursday afternoon, we got communication from British Airways that we should go to the airport to reclaim our luggage because their aircraft had to return to London,” the returnee said.
However, the weather has improved as airlines are resuming regular flights schedule.
The British Airways has yet to comment on the development, but a memo sent to passengers attributed the flight diversion to adverse weather at the Lagos airport.
“Due to adverse weather, we were unable to safely land into Lagos Airport. We regret to inform you that due to the operational constraints, we have had to cancel this flight.
“We recommend that you make your own travel arrangements to Lagos as we are unable to operate safely in the coming days.
“If you wish to travel from Accra – London Heathrow, there are a limited availability of seats to book on. Please speak with our colleagues at the airport to adjust your ticket, subject to availability,’’ the memo said.
Last week, the Minister of Aviation, Alhaji Hadi Sirika, had apologised to passengers over the diverted flights, saying the government is working on the Instrument Landing System to allow for aircraft landing at the lowest visibility.
While apologizing to the air passengers, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority said weather-related diversions, cancellations and delays were necessary and inevitable precautionary safety measures in aviation.
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