BREAKING: Abuja airport temporarily shut as aircraft tyre bursts upon landing on runway

Operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, were temporarily halted on Wednesday following an incident involving an Allied Air flight.

The aircraft reportedly suffered a tyre burst upon landing, leading it to skid off the runway. The plane remains stuck near the runway, prompting the temporary closure of the airport to enable authorities to tow the aircraft and ensure safety.

A source at NAIA disclosed, “Efforts are ongoing to reopen the runway,” adding that the incident caused significant disruptions, with multiple flight departures delayed.

Despite the disruption, no injuries were reported among passengers. Emergency responders promptly arrived at the scene to manage the situation.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, confirmed the incident and assured the public that measures are being taken to restore normalcy.

The statement read: “At 10:05am on December 11, 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT skidded off Runway 22 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with five (5) souls on board with no reported injury.

“They were all safely evacuated and taken to the FAAN clinic for further checks. The Airport Emergency response team is on the scene along with accident investigators. The runway is being cleared and is expected to reopen for operations as soon as possible.

“We would like to thank the aviation community and the general public for their understanding and patience. We also request that all speculation be put on hold until the preliminary report is released by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).”