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British Airways Denies 58 Passengers Boarding Abuja-London Flight .
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NCAA confirms safety measure, seats left unoccupied.
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Affected passengers get hotel stay, airlift set for Saturday.
Operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, were disrupted on Friday after British Airways denied 58 passengers boarding its Abuja-to-London flight due to a faulty aircraft door.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed that the decision was taken as a safety precaution, requiring certain seats to remain unoccupied to maintain operational safety standards.
Director of Public Relations and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, disclosed the details in a post on his 𝕏 handle. He explained that the defect was discovered before departure, prompting the airline to limit the number of passengers.
“As a result of the faulty door, they had to deny 58 passengers boarding this morning,” Achimugu wrote.
According to him, British Airways offered affected passengers hotel accommodation, while 28 opted to return home and 30 accepted the lodging arrangement.
He added that arrangements were being made to airlift them on Saturday morning. “Affected passengers can file for compensation,” he noted, urging travellers to take advantage of NCAA Consumer Protection Officers at the terminal whenever they face delays or disruptions.
“The first resort in situations like this is to locate the NCAA Consumer Protection Officers at the terminal, and they will ensure that your right to care is protected,” Achimugu advised.
The incident caused mild drama at the airport, with some passengers expressing frustration over the sudden change. However, NCAA officials emphasised that passenger safety remained paramount, and the airline’s action aligned with international aviation safety protocols.
The development adds to recent operational disruptions in the aviation sector, as regulatory agencies continue to enforce strict safety compliance across airlines operating in Nigeria.
