Drama as cows prevent aircraft from landing at Akure airport

February 17, 2018 8:10 pm

Some cows invaded the premises of the Akure Airport, Ondo state, on Saturday, preventing an Air Peace flight from landing.

The incident, which occurred around 12pm, took those at the airport by surprise.

TheCable learnt that it took the intervention of officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other security operatives to clear the runway for safe landing.

One of the witnesses, Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, said he was waiting to board an aircraft to Lagos when the incident happened.

He said the cows overtook the airport runway and delayed the aircraft — said to belong to Air Peace Airline — from landing for about fifteen minutes.

Writing via his Twitter handle, Fayose said: “Today, while at the Akure Airport to board Air Peace commercial flight to Lagos, I witnessed cows taking over the airport runway and preventing aircraft No. 5NBQQ from landing for more than 15 minutes.

“Thanks to Capt Inyang for saving the lives of the passengers.”

Today, while at the Akure Airport to board Air Peace commercial flight to Lagos, I witnessed cows taking over the Airport runway and preventing Aircraft No. 5NBQQ from landing for more than 15 minutes. Thanks to Capt Inyang for saving the lives of the passengers.

— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) February 17, 2018

Efforts made to reach FAAN for comments regarding the incident were unsuccessful as the agency did not answer calls or reply text message sent.

But Chris Iwarah, spokesman of the airline, confirmed the incident in a statement.

“We confirm that flight P4 7002 from Lagos had to delay landing into Akure Airport today (Saturday) when the pilot-in-command sighted cows on the runway at about 12.15pm,” he said.

“On being alerted by control tower, aviation security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN AVSEC) quickly intervened and cleared the runway.

“The flight was eventually cleared to land after about seven minutes. Our guests on board were all calm while the delay lasted. The aircraft departed for Lagos at about 1.06 with full escort from FAAN security personnel.”