An Enugu Air aircraft veered off the runway after touching down at Benin Airport on Thursday, triggering an emergency response but leaving all passengers and crew members unharmed.
The airline confirmed that the incident involved one of its Embraer regional jets and described it as a runway excursion, assuring the public that everyone on board safely disembarked without injuries.
In a statement released on its official X account, the airline said the aircraft encountered the incident shortly after landing and that aviation regulators had been informed in accordance with standard safety procedures.
“Enugu Air wishes to inform the public that one of our aircraft operating into Benin experienced a runway excursion after landing today.
“We confirm that all passengers and crew have safely disembarked and there were no injuries or casualties.
“The aircraft has been secured, and the relevant aviation authorities have been notified in line with established procedures. An assessment of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the occurrence is currently underway,” the airline said.
The carrier noted that the incident could disrupt some of its scheduled operations as investigations and assessments continue.
“As a result, there may be temporary adjustments to some flight schedules. Passengers affected by any changes will be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance.
“The safety of our passengers, crew, and operations remains our highest priority. We appreciate your understanding and will continue to provide updates through our official communication channels,” the statement added.
The incident sparked concern after videos circulated on social media showing the aircraft resting off the runway, leading to speculation that it had crash-landed.
However, Enugu Air dismissed those reports, explaining that the occurrence was a runway excursion—a term used in aviation when an aircraft leaves the runway during landing or take-off—and reiterated that no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
The aircraft involved is one of the Embraer regional jets recently introduced into Enugu Air’s fleet as part of the state-owned carrier’s commercial operations.
The cause of the runway excursion has not yet been established, while aviation authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
(Ripples)