British Airways flight delayed in Lagos as technical fault grounds plane
Olasunkanmi Akinlotan
All seems not well with British Airways at the moment as a technical fault grounded one of its aircraft leaving many passengers in a confused state at the Murtala Muhammed Airport.
Sources hinted to The PUNCH that while frantic efforts are being made to repair the faulty plane, most of the passengers have been re-accommodated on other flights.
It was also gathered that the remaining affected passengers have been lodged in an undisclosed hotel with their feedings catered for since Wednesday.
The source further told our correspondent that since the challenge occurred, no passenger has been left unattended to or allowed to sleep at the airport, as they have all been taken into a hotel.
A passenger who refused to give his name quoted the Airline as saying that its team was working hard to book the remaining customers on a flight as soon as possible.
The British Airlines flight number BA 74, which was scheduled to depart from Lagos to London at 10:50 pm on Wednesday, June 19, suffered a technical fault.
The flight was finally canceled after 1:00 a.m with passengers being asked to cancel their immigration forms and go back to baggage claims to collect their already checked-in luggage.
As of the time this report was filed, an undisclosed number of passengers were still waiting in their hotel rooms.
When contacted, The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, promised to get back to our reporter after checking with his officers.
“Yes, somebody brought the matter to my attention about an hour ago but I have been so busy. But if such happens the airline must have taken care of the passengers. If that has been done there will be no issues but let me check with my officers and I will get back to you shortly.”
Also speaking, Regional Commercial Manager Nigeria and Ghana, Mrs Tutu Otuyalo, confirmed the development but said the airline resolved the matter gradually.
She said, ‘We have been in contact with our customers to apologise for the delay to their flight, this was caused by a technical issue with the aircraft. The majority of customers have been re-accommodated on other flights, and our team is working hard to book the remaining customers on a flight as soon as possible.
“We will cover accommodation and meal costs for customers. We would never operate a flight unless it is safe to do so.”
She could not confirm when the rest of the passengers would be airlifted but assured that they would all be sorted within the shortest possible time.
