The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed relevant aviation agencies to investigate the runway excursion involving an Enugu Air aircraft at Benin Airport, assuring the public that all passengers and crew escaped unharmed.

In a post on X on Friday, Keyamo said the aircraft skidded off the runway after landing safely, describing the occurrence as a “runway excursion” in aviation terminology.

“I have been duly informed that the incident with Enugu Air yesterday in Benin is that the aircraft skidded off the runway after landing successfully (it is called ‘runway excursion’ in aviation terminology). Everyone was safe,” the minister wrote.

“I have directed all the relevant agencies to work closely with Enugu Air to unravel the cause.”

The incident occurred on July 23, when an Enugu Air aircraft, with registration number 5N-ENR, veered off the runway while landing at Benin Airport.

The aircraft was carrying 68 passengers, excluding crew members.

In a statement issued after the incident, Enugu Air confirmed that all passengers and crew safely disembarked from the aircraft without injuries or fatalities.

The airline said the aircraft had been secured and that the relevant aviation authorities were immediately notified in line with established safety procedures.

The runway excursion forced the temporary closure of the airport’s runway, disrupting flight operations into and out of Benin.

Following the incident, Air Peace suspended all flights to and from Benin Airport, citing the runway closure. The airline described the disruption as beyond its control and apologised to affected passengers for the inconvenience.

United Nigeria Airlines also announced the cancellation of all its flights to and from Benin pending the reopening of the runway.

“We wish to inform our valued passengers and the general public that, due to the closure of the runway by the Federal Airports 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 airline said.

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may have caused.”

United Nigeria Airlines advised affected passengers to contact its customer service channels for rebooking and further assistance while authorities continue investigations into the incident. (AriseNews TV)