Air Peace has temporarily suspended all flights to and from Benin Airport following the closure of the runway after an Enugu Air aircraft overran the landing strip on Thursday.
The airline announced the suspension in a statement, explaining that the closure had affected all its scheduled operations at the airport and compelled it to cancel the affected flights.
“Air Peace wishes to inform its valued customers and the general public that all flights to and from Benin Airport have been temporarily suspended today following the closure of the airport’s runway due to a runway incursion,” the airline stated.
It described the disruption as being caused by circumstances beyond its control and apologised to passengers whose travel plans had been affected.
“The temporary suspension and cancellation of affected flights are necessitated by circumstances beyond the airline’s control. We sincerely regret the inconvenience this disruption may cause and appeal to all affected passengers for their patience and understanding as the relevant airport authorities work to restore normal operations,” Air Peace added.
The runway closure followed an incident involving an Enugu Air Embraer E170 aircraft operating Flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin.
The aircraft reportedly overran the end of Runway 05 while landing at Benin Airport, resulting in the temporary shutdown of flight operations as aviation authorities assessed the runway and surrounding area.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has commenced an investigation into the incident to determine its circumstances and probable cause.
The bureau confirmed that all 63 passengers and five crew members aboard the aircraft were safely accounted for and that no injuries were recorded.
It also announced that a preliminary report on the incident would be released within 30 days in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Air Peace said its flights would remain suspended until the airport authorities reopen the runway and certify it safe for normal operations.
