Arik Air Flight Diverts to Benin City Following Engine Incident; All Passengers Safe
On Wednesday, an Arik Air Boeing 737-700 aircraft operating a domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt was forced to divert to Benin City due to a technical incident involving the aircraft’s left engine. The flight, registered as 5N-MJF and operating as Flight W3 740, experienced a loud bang from the left engine while descending towards Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
Following established safety protocols, the flight crew made the prudent decision to divert to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure. Upon landing, all 80 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated with no reported injuries, underscoring the airline’s commitment to passenger safety.
Banji Ola, Head of Public Relations at Arik Air, confirmed that arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers onward to Port Harcourt to complete their journeys. The airline also issued an apology for the disruption caused, emphasizing that safety remains its highest operational priority.
This incident highlights the importance of rigorous safety procedures and the professionalism of the flight crew in managing in-flight technical anomalies. Arik Air’s swift response ensured the wellbeing of all on board and minimized inconvenience to passengers.
Investigations into the engine anomaly are ongoing, with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Board reportedly involved in examining the circumstances surrounding the event to prevent future occurrences.
Travelers and industry stakeholders can take reassurance from the effective handling of this incident, which reflects the robust safety culture within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
