United Nigeria Airlines finally apologises to passengers after NCAA lifts suspension
United Nigeria Airlines has apologised to its passengers taken to Asaba instead of Abuja lady week due to miscommunication between the crew and control tower.
The apology came after the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced the lifting of suspension it imposed on operations of the airlines’ wet lease aircraft.
The NCAA made the announcement in a letter signed by Ibrahim Dambazau, its director of operations, licensing and training on Friday.
On Sunday, a United Nigeria Airlines aircraft which departed Muritala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, en route to Abuja, diverted to Asaba, Delta State.
In its defence a few hours after the incident, United Nigeria said the flight was diverted to Asaba as a result of bad destination weather.
On Tuesday the NCAA began an investigation into the airline’s two wet lease aircraft resulting in a suspension of operations.
In its latest response in a statement, the airline apologised to the passengers for the experience and expressed their gratitude for their understanding during the period.
“We are pleased to announce the lifting of the suspension placed on our ‘Part G’ operations specifications which affected one of our aircraft,” the airline said.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude to you for keeping faith with us and for your understanding during this period.”
Providing the result of the investigation in the letter referenced NCAA/DOLT/UNA/Vol.02523, NCAA cited that the incident was due to a lack of “adequate liaison” between the lessor’s OCC (operation control centre) and lessee’s OCC which has also omitted appropriate flight briefing from the point of departure.
The authority also said there was non-adherence to the approved filed air traffic control (ATC) flight plan.
The authority also gave recommendations to the airline, adding that both cockpit and cabin crew should hold appropriate briefings before flight and procedures should be strictly adhered to by both the lessor and the lessee’s OCC.