The reports that 61 Nigerian-bound passengers are stranded in Chad following a technical issue suffered by Air France has been debunked by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which has described it as fake news.
Mr. Michael Achimugu who is Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the NCAA clarified that they have been given accommodation and feeding by the airline.
According to him, the passengers would be airlifted on or before Monday morning.
Achimugu, in a chat, stated: “Stranded isn’t quite the situation. They have been provided accommodation and feeding by the airline. They have not been abandoned. The aircraft developed a technical issue due to bad weather in N’djamena. Arrangements are being made for another aircraft to fly in from Charles de Gaulle Airport to convey the passengers to Abuja, latest Monday morning.”
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Achimugu spoke after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, directed the consumer protection department of the NCAA to swing into action and engage the airline.
Keyamo, on X, formerly Twitter, had stated: “It has come to my attention that Nigerians on an Air France flight from Paris to Abuja are presently stranded in Chad, from where the flight earlier dropped some passengers. I have immediately directed the Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA to swing into action and engage Air France. We shall inform everyone of the outcome soon. Meanwhile, I urge Air France to immediately issue a statement on the fate of the stranded Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines is walking a tightrope, as NCAA threatens to crack down on the carrier’s alleged mistreatment of Nigerian travelers. With regulatory action looming, the airline must shape up or face the consequences.
In a briefing with journalists in Lagos, Achimugu revealed the regulator’s stance on Turkish Airlines’ treatment of Nigerian passengers.
To guarantee a seamless travel experience for Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu has issued a presidential directive to the NCAA, FAAN, and other agencies, emphasizing the imperative to protect passengers’ rights and interests at all times.