Ethiopian Airlines has blamed the aborted landing of its ET901/29 flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday on bad weather.
The General Manager of the Nigeria operations of Ethiopian Airlines, Mrs Firihiewot Mekonnen, said the aircraft, which was carrying 393 passengers from Addis Ababa to Lagos, encountered bad weather during landing.
She said the aircraft had to make a go-around-the-airport for better and smooth landing, in line with aviation procedure. “On a second attempt, it made a safe and normal landing. According to safety standards, pilots are encouraged to make a similar go-around in such cases.
“However, some media incorrectly reported this standard safety precautionary go-around,” Mekonnen said.
It will be recalled that the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had reported on Wednesday afternoon that a Boeing 777-300 aircraft Ethiopian flight conveying some important dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo encountered bad weather during landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The General Manager, Public Relations of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Mr Sam Adurogboye, while commenting said the aircraft did not overshoot the runway.
“Ethiopian Airlines came into Lagos at a time it was raining and reduced visibility, hence it had to go back and hovered for a while. Finally, it came back and landed safely,” he said.
Also, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also issued a statement with respect to the incident. According to the Authority, “The flight, which tried to land at about 1157hours had earlier missed approached due to bad weather and immediately went up to position properly for landing. The aircraft landed safely at exactly 1213hours and parked at gate E63”
