Although no injury or fatality was recorded, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, an agency of the Federal Government, confirmed that the aircraft got involved in a “serious accident” around 10.47 am when it arrived at the NAIA from Lagos.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, James Odaudu, confirmed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, adding that investigations into the accident.

“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and has commenced an investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 737 with nationality and registration marks 5N-BYQ belonging to Aero Contractors Airlines, which occurred around 10:47am (local time) on November 12, 2023.

The aircraft upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from Lagos and in a bid to exit the runway via A4 had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway.

“Consequently, the runway was closed pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway. There was no injury or fatality,” the statement read.

Moi International Airport, Mombasa, Kenya won the Best African Airport under 2 million passengers per year, while Kotoka International Airport, Kotoka, Accra, Ghana won the Best African Airport 2 to 5 million passengers per year.

The African Airport with Best Hygiene Measures was won by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) MD/CEO, Captain Rabiu Yadudu accepted the award on behalf of the organisation and restated FAAN’s commitment to ensuring the safety, security and comfort of passengers at all airports across the country.

Yadudu said “This award represents FAAN’s commitment to continuously improving customer’s experience across all our airports. The recognition comes at a time when we are geared towards ensuring seamless airport facilitation with the opening of new terminals and upgrading of our current infrastructures across the board.”

The General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, gave the assurance in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday, saying that in preparation for the season and beyond, FAAN had beefed up security at all airports, especially the major international gateways in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

The statement reads: “We are intensifying our efforts at improving facilities and infrastructure to ensure maximum comfort for all airport users.

“At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Port Harcourt International Airport, the recently commissioned brand new terminals are fully ready to play host to our esteemed passengers in safe, secure and very comfortable ambiences.

“At our premier airport, the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the VIP lounge has been renovated to enhance passengers’ comfort.

“The carousels are working optimally, amidst other facilities’ upgrade currently ongoing

“The stories were similar in all other airports, as the Authority had put in place facilities, procedures and systems to ensure maximum comfort, safety and security of airport users during the season and beyond.

“FAAN will like to use this opportunity to appeal to passengers to please get to the airports early to conclude all check-in procedures in good time, so as to avoid the experience of missing their flights.

“This is important because of the heavy passenger traffic that is usually the experience around this time and also due to ongoing construction works around the Lagos and Abuja Airports.”

Yakubu added that FAAN would continue to deliver on its core values of safety, security and comfort.