Air travellers resort to prayers amid surge in aviation disasters

The recent near-crash incidents plaguing the aviation industry has raised safety concerns among flying passengers.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that some passengers had turned to road travel for fear of being caught in a tragedy. However, other regular air travellers said they had placed their lives in God’s hands and always prayed before boarding their flights.

2024 plagued by turbulence

Many have described 2024 as a turbulent year for the aviation industry.

Between 2024 and January 2025, there have been repeated crashes and near-crash incidents despite efforts by aviation regulators to improve Nigeria’s standing in global aviation circles.

In the 13 months from January 2024 to January 2025, at least 10 incidents have drawn public and regulatory attention.

For instance, apart from the crash of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter that killed eight people, a Dana MD-82 aircraft skidded off the runway in April, prompting the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to order the airline’s suspension for a thorough audit. Since then, Dana Air has been likened to a company on the brink of extinction.

On May 11, 2024, approximately three weeks later, an Embraer 145 aircraft operated by XeJet Airlines skidded off Runway 18L at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The aircraft, registered as 5N-BZZ, had departed from Abuja with 52 passengers and crew members.

Upon landing, it veered off the runway and came to a stop on the grass verge. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

In response, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau deployed a team to the site to conduct an investigation. Additionally, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria temporarily closed Runway 18L to facilitate emergency response efforts and ensure safety.

Soon after, a series of technical failures in other airlines further highlighted concerns about runway safety and aircraft operations in Nigeria.

On November 4, 2024, an Air Peace flight was forced to return to Benin after experiencing a technical issue shortly after takeoff.

The aircraft, en route to Abuja, detected the problem mid-flight, prompting the crew to make an emergency landing back in Benin. There were, however, no injuries as the airline announced an investigation into the cause of the failure to prioritise passenger and crew safety.

In early December 2024, a Max Air aircraft bound for Abuja was forced to make an emergency landing after one of its engines caught fire just 10 minutes after taking off from Maiduguri, Borno State. The aircraft, carrying several passengers, quickly descended and returned safely to Maiduguri Airport.

Emergency services were on standby, and the aircraft landed safely without casualties. The incident prompted a thorough investigation by both Max Air and aviation authorities to determine the cause of the engine fire and prevent future occurrences.

Among those who expressed relief upon disembarking was the Deputy Governor of Borno, Usman Kadafur.

Also in December 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft, with registration number 5N-JRT, suffered a tyre burst while landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The burst caused the aircraft to skid off the runway, but emergency response teams quickly intervened to ensure the safety of the crew and aircraft. Though there were no casualties, the incident prompted a temporary closure of the runway for investigation and repairs.

In a separate incident, 38 passengers and crew members on a United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington Dulles sustained varying degrees of injury when the aircraft, after being airborne for about four hours, was forced to return to Lagos for an emergency landing due to a technical issue.

Passengers and crew received medical attention upon landing, while the injured were provided with further care. Authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the emergency, while United Airlines expressed regret over the incident and offered support to those affected.

Similarly, the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, suspended Max Air’s operations following an incident involving one of its aircraft in Kano on Tuesday night.

The PUNCH reported that a Max Air Boeing 737-400 aircraft, with registration number 5N-MBD, suffered a tyre burst while landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. The aircraft’s nosewheel was also reported to be damaged.

This marks the third incident involving Max Air in three months, raising fresh concerns over aviation safety.

The NCAA announced that the suspension, effective for three months, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight.

It added that organisational risk assessments for all scheduled airlines, including Max Air, have commenced, with the exercise nearing completion.

Passengers express fear

In the wake of these incidents, passengers have raised concerns, seeking to understand the root causes while urging the NCAA and the Federal Government to prioritise aviation safety and prevent further accidents.

Speaking with our correspondent, a passenger aboard the United Airlines flight, who identified herself simply as Mrs Olasupo, expressed grave concerns for her safety and prayed for divine intervention in the aviation sector.

Recounting her experience, she said, “It was about two hours into the flight. I was sleeping when I was suddenly jolted awake by a ‘drop’ in the plane, similar to the feeling of riding a roller coaster. The pilot later regained control. Initially, he announced that we would land in Ghana but then decided to return to Lagos. When we got to the hotel, some passengers seated at the rear of the plane mentioned hearing a loud ‘bang’ before the sudden drop, though I didn’t hear it. Jesus will save those of us flying different planes.”

Another passenger, Aina Mathins, who had just arrived in Nigeria from the United States, revealed that she had planned to visit six months earlier but postponed her trip due to her fear of flying.

She acknowledged that aviation challenges existed worldwide but accused Nigerian regulators and operators of not taking safety issues seriously.

“It’s not that other countries don’t have aviation issues, but professionals there take their responsibilities seriously, unlike the jokers handling aviation in Nigeria,” she said.

“How can I be reading online that a stranger was found in the toilet of an aircraft? Who will explain that to me? I’ve been flying for 26 years, and I’ve never heard of something like that before. Our aviation handlers must rise to the occasion and stop taking cosmetic approaches to these issues.”

Like Mathins, Mrs Ayodele Adeojo also called for prayers for the aviation sector.

“If these strange incidents continue, air travel will no longer be an option for me in Nigeria. I know many Nigerians feel the same way,” she said. “Is it not safer to risk Nigerian roads than an air travel accident?

“The Federal Government must pay more attention to the aviation sector so that we don’t experience a major disaster. I am afraid, I must confess. I appeal to the government to address these challenges directly.”

Professionals raise concerns

Over the years, industry experts have raised alarms over the deteriorating state of airport infrastructure in the country, particularly outdated runways, warning that runway potholes could lead to serious aviation accidents.

Echoing these concerns, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, recently revealed that the country’s airport infrastructure, especially runways, wasoutdated and required over N580bn for necessary rehabilitation works.

Speaking on the issue, a former Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Capt. Samuel Caulcrick, accused the NCAA of incompetence.

He insisted that airlines should voluntarily suspend operations if they lacked capacity or facedoperational challenges.

Caulcrick added that beyond voluntary suspensions by airlines, the apex regulatory agency had the authority to suspend any airline’s operations, especially if incidents followed a recurring pattern.

He criticised the NCAA’s surveillance deficiencies, stressing that the regulatory body should conduct regular economic and operational audits of all airlines holding an Air Operator’s Certificate.

“When you issue an AOC, you are supposed to carry out regular oversight of their operations. You don’t wait for incidents to occur or conduct audits every two years,” he said.

“The regulator’s job is to be on the field, but here, we are stuck in offices. You must be present with them—that’s what surveillance is all about.”

Caulcrick further stated, “NCAA’s responsibilities are clear, in my opinion, and the director-general is capable. He could suspend the certification of new airlines until the NCAA strengthens its surveillance capabilities.

“Such a move would allow the authority to focus on enhancing its oversight capacity, ensuring that existing airlines operate safely, and providing adequate resources for effective surveillance.”

Also weighing in, aviation expert, Capt. Muhammed Badamasi, criticised the NCAA for allegedly neglecting its oversight duties, while noting that the challenges in the aviation sector were multi-dimensional.

“I must tell you, the problems in the aviation industry are multi-dimensional. We need regular workshops on the aviation sector. It’s not just about the NCAA or FAAN,” he said.

“For instance, take the Max Air incident in Kano—where an aircraft’s nosewheel collapsed, even something as minor as a pothole can contribute, and we all know the state of our runways in Nigeria. We need a holistic approach to ensure the industry is not treated in isolation.”

 “Did you watch the rescue mission in Washington, D.C., yesterday? Even those not involved in aviation showed up to assist. Various fire service tankers and other emergency personnel lent their support and expertise. Did you see anything like that in Kano?”

Commenting on the NCAA’s lack of oversight, Badamasi added, “You shouldn’t wait for an airline to be involved in an incident before auditing it. Every airline should conduct internal audits, just like maintaining your home. When that’s done, external auditors will be more confident in their inspections—but I don’t think anyone is enforcing this.

“Nowadays, the NCAA isn’t fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, and that’s precisely the issue we’re discussing. These fire-brigade approaches are not the way forward.”

NCAA allays fears

Reacting, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Micheal Achimugu, allayed Nigerians’ fear, saying the regulators were not resting on the oars to ensure that Nigerians are safe.

He added that aside from several sanctions already imposed on airlines at different times, the director general of the NCAA had also just signed new actions into sanctions/law.

Achimugu, while speaking with our correspondent on Friday morning, reiterated the agency’s commitment to safety and hinted that two operations licences would be suspended before the close of business the same day.

He said, “I will like to remind Nigerians that this was the same NCAA that immediately suspended Dana when we found out that it doesn’t have the financial health to keep operating, this NCAA is the one that has now discussed with Max Air and this is not the first time, earlier in 2023 Max Air was suspended, Aero too had to pause for three months then, and came back healthier. The same thing we did with them is the same way we have been doing with others.

“As a matter of fact, there are two operators’ licences (not commercial) that will be revoked by the NCAA today (Friday). The DG NCAA has also finally signed five new official actions in sanctions/ laws.

“So, this NCAA does not joke with safety and I want Nigerians to know. These issues are not peculiar to Nigeria, we all heard what happened in the USA yesterday, if it had been in Nigeria, we all know what would have been said about the NCAA by now.”

Achimugu further said incidents are not proof of incompetence on the part of the NCAA but promised that the authority would continue to evolve and develop on their part as regulators.

The President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Yinka Folami, also expressed concerns about the near -crash incidents, urging stakeholders, particularly the NCAA and airline operators, to address all safety concerns for the sake of the Nigerian traveling public.

Yinka, in a statement he personally signed, noted that the safety operational ecosystem must be prioritised for the sake of the traveling passengers.

NANTA, Nigeria’s biggest organised travel trade professionals’ body, advised that all hands must be activated to restore confidence in air travel across Nigeria.