United Nigeria Airlines has stated that its flight, originally scheduled to take off on Thursday, December 19, at 6 am from Lagos to Asaba, was disrupted after an ‘unruly’ passenger physically assaulted one of its crew members.
The airline said in a statement that the commotion caused by the passenger on board, just before the plane was about to take off, lasted for a long time, causing the flight to be cancelled over safety concerns.
The statement read:
“We deeply regret notifying the general public that our Lagos-Asaba flight, originally scheduled for 6:30am on Thursday, December 19th, was delayed due to an unfortunate incident involving an unruly passenger. This individual physically assaulted a crew member after everyone had boarded and the door of the aircraft was firmly shut.
“The commotion caused by this passenger lasted a long time, and for safety reasons and in accordance with international aviation protocols, the aircraft was grounded, resulting in hours-long delay. Unfortunately, this disruption may have a reverberating effect on other flights across our network and may cause more delays and cancellations. We are deeply sorry about this.
“We understand and respect our passengers’ right to express their concerns. However, it is important to emphasise that any form of physical or verbal assault against any crew member is a serious offence under international aviation laws and is strictly prohibited. Such behaviour not only endangers the safety and security of everyone on board but also disrupts the travel plans of fellow passengers. We urge our valued passengers to use appropriate channels, such as customer service hotlines or online feedback forms, to address any issues or dissatisfaction they may have. This ensures that concerns are handled efficiently and respectfully, without compromising the safety and comfort of other passengers.
“At United Nigeria Airlines, safety is not just a priority but the very foundation upon which our operations are built. Our commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards is unwavering, and we take all necessary measures to ensure the well-being of our passengers and crew.”