The Chief Executive Officer of Enugu Air, Captain Roland Iyayi, has praised the professionalism and experience of the airline’s flight crew after one of its aircraft skidded off the runway while landing at Benin Airport during heavy rainfall, saying their swift actions prevented what could have become a far more serious incident.

According to Iyayi, the aircraft encountered adverse weather conditions during landing, but the pilots followed standard safety procedures and maintained control of the situation, ensuring that all passengers and crew members were evacuated safely without injuries or fatalities. He described the outcome as a testament to the high level of training and professionalism within the airline.

The CEO explained that the incident was caused by a combination of heavy rainfall and challenging runway conditions rather than any mechanical failure. He commended emergency responders and airport personnel for their prompt intervention, which helped secure the aircraft and minimise disruption to airport operations.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the runway excursion to determine its exact cause. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is also monitoring the situation as part of established aviation safety procedures. Both agencies have urged the public to await the outcome of the investigation before drawing conclusions about the incident.

The runway excursion briefly disrupted operations at Benin Airport, but airport activities have since resumed. Aviation experts note that while runway excursions are relatively uncommon, adverse weather remains one of the leading operational risks in air transport, underscoring the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols, continuous crew training and effective emergency response systems.