Ethiopian Airlines plane affected by bad weather, landed safely at Lagos Airport — FAAN

Contrary to the report indicating that a Boeing 777-300 aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines on Wednesday, overshot the runway after landing due to a heavy downpour at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, information reaching the Tribune Online has shown that the aircraft in question only experienced a missed approach during landing due to bad weather.

According to information, the aircraft which took off from Bole International airport at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with over 393 people had not even landed when it suffered a missed approach.

Reacting to the development involving an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft at the Lagos airport, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said the flight numbered ET 901 flying from Addis Ababa to Lagos on Wednesday escaped a mishap and landed safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to a statement from FAAN: “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. The Ethiopian flight had departed Lagos for Addis Ababa at 1351hours.”

Also, in a swift reaction, the airline in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday evening by its General Manager in Nigeria, Firihiewot Mekonnen, explained that the Ethiopian flight (ET 901/29 May) which departed from Addis Ababa on its way to Lagos had encountered bad weather during landing according to the procedure.

“On a second attempt, the pilot made a safe and normal landing. In line with safety standards, pilots are encouraged to make a similar go around in such cases. However, some media houses incorrectly reported this standard safety precautionary go round”, she said.

Among passengers said to be on board included: Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo.