FAAN Yet To Re-open Lagos Runway As Xejet Aircraft Still Trapped

The Xejet Aircraft that slid off Runway 18L at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos is still stuck on the grassy area.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:29am on Saturday during heavy rainfall.

As of early Sunday, the aircraft remains trapped and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has not yet reopened the runway for landings.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA),Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the report in a statement titled 'Preliminary Report On The Runway Incident At Local Airport, Ikeja,' stating that the recovery of the aircraft was halted due to darkness on Saturday.

He also mentioned that emergency responders will resume the recovery process on Sunday morning.

The distress call regarding the airplane, with registration number 5N-BZZ, skidding off the runway and getting stuck in the mud, was received by the agency via its emergency toll-free numbers, 112/767, on Saturday, 11th May, 2024 at the Local Airport, Ikeja, at approximately 3:03pm.