NCAA Suspends Wet Lease Aircraft After Asaba Incident Involving United Nigeria Airlines

Following an incident where a United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) aircraft landed passengers at the Asaba International Airport instead of their designated destination, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced on Monday the suspension of all wet-leased aircraft under UNA.

The suspension, confirmed by an inside source at the NCAA, applies to all wet-leased aircraft in UNA’s fleet. In a wet lease, one airline provides an aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) to another airline. The decision to suspend these aircraft follows the Asaba incident, with the authority deeming the airline’s explanation regarding poor weather conditions in Abuja as unacceptable.

The source highlighted that the suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of an investigation into the Sunday incident. The source expressed concerns about the foreign crews’ unfamiliarity with Nigerian conditions, stressing the need for a thorough investigation.

In response to the situation, a press statement from the NCAA, signed by the Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, confirmed the commencement of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the United Nigeria flight NUA 0506 to Asaba. The statement reassured the public that the authority is committed to ensuring the safety of the aviation industry, with no stone left unturned in the investigation process.