International flights to Lagos divert to Ghana due to poor equipment, leaving passengers stranded
All international flights bound for Lagos, Nigeria, have been diverted to Ghana following poor weather conditions and complications from new equipment installation.
British Airways and Emirate Airlines are among the carriers unable to land at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and were instead rerouted to Ghana. The diversions are roiling travel plans for many of their customers, according to statements emailed to affected passengers and reviewed by CNN.
The diversion was as a result of poor weather in Lagos, which is Nigeria's commercial hub, and inadequate equipment to check visibility, according to the country's Ministry of Aviation.
The airport is "in the process of replacing the old category 2 Instrument Landing Systems with the newly procured category 3 system that allows for the lowest visibility landing," said James Odaudu, director of public affairs for Nigeria's Ministry of Aviation.
Instrument Landing System (ILS) works as a signal navigation aid that guides pilots when landing in low visibility. Airport authorities in Lagos experienced difficulties replacing their old ILS with a new one, making it impossible for airplanes to land. _ "Unfortunately, there was a malfunctioning of certain components, which, coupled with the unforeseen weather conditions, made landing at the airport difficult," Odaudu said in the statement.
Passengers stranded at the Kotoka International Airport in the Ghana city of Accra have reacted angrily, saying it would have been easier if flights had been rerouted to Abuja, Nigeria's capital city.
Fola Olatunji-David, a technology entrepreneur whose February 11 flight to Lagos was diverted, says British Airways has not made provisions to take them back to Nigeria after initial promises to do so.
"We landed in Accra on Tuesday night and they kept stringing us along. They kept changing the time, saying, ' We will leave at 11 pm, we will leave at 2 pm' but we are still here," he said in reference to British Airways, in an interview with CNN.
Olatunji-David and other passengers have been in Accra for about three days.
I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you
Posted: at 15-02-2020 11:48 AM (4 years ago) | Addicted Hero
OmoNobaUku at 15-02-2020 01:03 PM (4 years ago) (m)
Shame of a nation.
Posted: at 15-02-2020 01:03 PM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac
We need to direct the blame to the minister of aviation. He travelled with a large entourage to receive a flight simulator instead of doing his work in the Country. He keeps touting the construction of terminal buildings. Unfortunately, we will all be insulting the President. Senator Sirika is a monumental failure.
Posted: at 15-02-2020 03:37 PM (4 years ago) | Upcoming
Were is mrs stella the former minister for aviation ? this lady also misuse money for the airport.If nigerian stop to put their self first by stealing things can get beter.
Posted: at 16-02-2020 11:18 AM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac
widowsson at 16-02-2020 06:48 PM (4 years ago) (m)
Quote from: FloxyB on 16-02-2020 04:21 PM
SHUT your dirty mouth up! Omo monkey.
Why are you scared of separation nitwit? The Zoo is not working, since 60 years are you are still chanting one Nigeria. Are you sure of sleeping with electricity tonight? technically they are telling you that your airport is not even up to the standard of a train station. You are here telling me to shut up with cheap, data just to score cheap point on social media. I have travelled across the width and breath of the zoological republic of Nigeria, but failed to see human beings. The only thing I saw were Being, you sound so phony to me, I doubt I will want to banter words or reword you on this platform. Most commonly, you are to vain and superficial to me. I am sorry to remind you of how cantankerous and grandiloquent your response sound to me, I doubt if will want to handle your level chauvinism for a failed country.
Posted: at 16-02-2020 06:48 PM (4 years ago) | Upcoming
widowsson at 16-02-2020 06:54 PM (4 years ago) (m)
Why are you scared of separation nitwit? The Zoo is not working, since 60 years ago and you are still chanting one Nigeria. Are you sure of sleeping with electricity tonight? technically they are telling you that your airport is not even up to the standard of a train station. You asked me to shut up with cheap data, just to score cheap point on social media. I have travelled across the width and breath of the zoological republic of Nigeria, but failed to see human beings. The only thing I saw were Being, you sound so phony to me, I doubt if I will want to banter words or reword you on this platform. Most commonly, you are too vain and superficial to me. I am sorry to remind you of how cantankerous and grandiloquent your response sound to me. Moreover, don't I want to handle your level chauvinism for a failed country. One Nigeria apologetic
Posted: at 16-02-2020 06:54 PM (4 years ago) | Upcoming