British Airways on Friday denied boarding to 58 passengers scheduled to fly from Abuja to London after a faulty aircraft door forced the airline to leave several seats unoccupied for safety reasons.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident. Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Relations and Consumer Protection, explained that seats near the defective door could not be used, prompting the airline to take precautionary measures.
“As a result of the faulty door, 58 passengers were denied boarding this morning,” Achimugu said. “Hotel accommodation was provided for affected passengers. While 28 chose to return home, 30 accepted the offer to stay overnight. Arrangements are being made to airlift them tomorrow morning, and they are entitled to compensation.”
He further advised passengers experiencing similar delays to contact NCAA Consumer Protection Officers at the terminal to ensure their rights are upheld.
Some social media users criticized the state of aircraft interiors used by foreign airlines in Nigeria, noting concerns about safety despite high ticket prices.
One user, @NewDawnNaija23, commented: “Not nice at all despite the huge amount of money that they charge.”
The NCAA reiterated that the airline’s decision was in line with standard safety protocols and emphasized that passenger welfare remains a priority.