By Dennis Okechukwu
An Enugu Air aircraft carrying 68 passengers was involved in a crash-landing at Benin Airport on Thursday, prompting an emergency response but leaving all passengers and crew members unharmed.
The aircraft reportedly suffered a nose-landing gear malfunction after touching down, causing it to veer into a runway incident and come to a halt on the tarmac. Emergency responders swiftly evacuated all passengers and crew, with no injuries or fatalities recorded.
Enugu Air confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as a runway occurrence that happened after landing in Benin. The airline assured the public that all passengers and crew had safely disembarked and that the aircraft had been secured pending investigations by aviation authorities.
The airline added that flight schedules could be temporarily affected as efforts are made to recover the aircraft and determine the cause of the incident.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also activated its emergency response procedures, deploying firefighters, rescue personnel and medical teams to the scene to ensure the safety of everyone on board and secure airport operations.
Enugu Air is a state-owned airline established by the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Mbah as part of efforts to improve regional air connectivity, boost tourism, attract investment and position Enugu as a major aviation hub in the South-East. The airline commenced commercial operations in 2025 through a partnership with XE Jet before obtaining its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in 2026, enabling it to operate independently on domestic routes.
The incident is the latest to raise concerns about aviation safety in Nigeria, despite the country’s strong safety record. In recent months, several airlines have experienced near-air mishaps, including emergency landings resulting from engine faults, bird strikes and runway excursions. While most of the incidents ended without casualties due to effective emergency response measures and adherence to safety protocols, they have renewed calls for improved aircraft maintenance, infrastructure upgrades and stricter regulatory oversight.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is expected to investigate the Benin Airport incident and determine its cause, while aviation authorities are likely to issue further updates as the inquiry progresses. passengers.