Why FAAN Apologizes To Air Peace & Passengers Over Cattle Invasion Of Akure Airport Runway
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has tendered an apology to Air Peace Airlines and its passengers for a runway incursion incident that prevented an Akure airport bound flight from landing for some minutes.
Cows were said to have invaded the runway on Saturday, preventing the aircraft from landing for over 15 minutes.
However, shortly after, normalcy was restored and the aircraft was able to land safely.
The agency which lists safety, security and comfort as its core values, therefore, pleaded with the passengers and assured the general public that there would be no recurrence of such.
A statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs (FAAN), Henrietta Yakubu, read: “FAAN wishes to apologize to Air Peace Airlines and our esteemed passengers for a runway incursion incident that prevented an Akure airport bound flight from landing for some minutes.
“The Air Peace flight, which left Lagos for Akure could not land immediately as some cows had strayed into the runway of the airport.
“However, normalcy was restored quickly, as officers of the aviation security department quickly dispersed the cows from the runway and the aircraft was cleared for landing.
“The Authority will like to assure travellers and the general public that efforts are already ongoing to close the gap that aided this incident”.
Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has spoken on the invasion of Akure airport in Ondo state state by cows.
The incident occurred on Saturday.
He hailed Air Peace pilot for saving the lives of passengers as cows took over the Airport runway.
The Governor via his Twitter handle, recalled that the aircraft could not land for more than 15 minutes.
He tweeted: “Today, while at the Akure Airport to board Air Peace commercial flight to Lagos, I witnessed cows taking over the Airport runway and preventing Aircraft No. 5NBQQ from landing for more than 15 minutes.
“Thanks to Capt Inyang for saving the lives of the passengers.”
Meanwhile, the management of Air Peace confirmed the claims by Governor Fayose. Confirming the incident, Air Peace corporate communications manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said: “We confirm that flight P4 7002 from Lagos had to delay landing into Akure Airport today (Saturday) when the pilot-in-command sighted cows on the runway at about 12.15pm. “On being alerted by control tower, aviation security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN AVSEC) quickly intervened and cleared the runway. “The flight was eventually cleared to land after about seven minutes. Our guests on board were all calm while the delay lasted. “The aircraft departed for Lagos at about 1.06 with full escort from FAAN security personnel.”