Abuja, Nigeria – August 15, 2025 — Tension gripped the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday after over 50 passengers were denied boarding a British Airways flight to London due to a technical fault.
According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), a malfunction in one of the aircraft’s doors forced the airline to leave several seats unoccupied as a safety precaution. This led to 58 passengers being offloaded, sparking frustration among affected travelers.
NCAA Explains
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Relations and Consumer Protection, confirmed the situation in a statement.
“As a result of the faulty door, 58 passengers were denied boarding this morning,” he said.
Achimugu added that the airline arranged hotel accommodation for stranded travelers, while 28 chose to return home. Compensation claims have also been encouraged, with British Airways promising to rebook affected passengers on the next available flight.
The NCAA urged travelers facing similar issues to contact Consumer Protection Officers at the airport terminals immediately, stressing that their rights to care and compensation would be protected.
The incident sparked mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians criticizing the condition of foreign aircraft deployed to the country.
One user, @NewDawnNaija23, wrote:
“Not nice at all despite the huge amount of money they charge. NCAA should inspect these aircraft more closely.”
Another user, @BelemaMhart, questioned if the airline knowingly flew a faulty aircraft into Nigeria:
“Did they discover this in Nigeria, or flew here with bad seats? The planes they bring to Nigeria are often the worst.”
Meanwhile, @OjukwuWils17544 compared the situation to local airlines, stating:
“No Nigerian airline would ever do this. Call me unpatriotic, but our airlines wouldn’t prioritize safety this way.”
This comes shortly after Nigerian airlines, under the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), lifted a lifetime ban placed on a controversial passenger following the intervention of the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.
Follow for Updates
Stay updated with the latest travel and aviation news on Facebook and Instagram 👉 @pulsedaily | @pulsedaily.
