Passengers aboard an Arik Air flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt experienced anxious moments on Wednesday morning after the aircraft developed an engine issue mid-air, prompting an emergency diversion to Benin City.
The airline confirmed that the Boeing 737-700 aircraft, with registration number 5N-MJF, operating Flight W3 740, was on descent into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the flight crew heard a loud bang from the left engine.
In line with standard safety procedures, the pilots immediately diverted the aircraft to the nearest airport as a precaution. The plane landed safely at Benin Airport without further incident.
Arik Air stated that all 80 passengers and crew members on board disembarked safely, with no injuries recorded. The airline also confirmed that arrangements were made to transport affected passengers to their intended destination in Port Harcourt.
In a statement, the airline’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, apologised for the disruption, stressing that passenger safety remains the airline’s top priority.
“The safety and wellbeing of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air. We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted,” the statement read.
