In a dramatic turn of events at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, British Airways on Friday denied boarding to 58 passengers scheduled for its Abuja–London flight after discovering a fault in one of the aircraft’s doors.
The incident, which has stirred mixed reactions among travellers, was first disclosed by Nigerian Stories via its official X handle.
According to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the decision was purely safety-driven, as the airline needed to keep several seats unoccupied to maintain safe operational balance due to the door malfunction.
Eyewitnesses report that visibly distraught passengers were seen making frantic calls to reschedule flights, while others expressed anger over the last-minute development. Sources revealed that the fault was identified during pre-flight safety checks, prompting British Airways to enforce the precautionary measure rather than risk mid-air complications.
A senior NCAA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, commended the airline’s decision, stressing that passenger safety is paramount and must take precedence over commercial considerations.
Meanwhile, British Airways has assured affected passengers of alternative arrangements and possible compensation, pledging to resolve the issue swiftly.
Aviation analysts note that while such safety measures may inconvenience travellers, they remain a testament to the industry’s zero-compromise policy on safety standards.
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