‘Heavy thunderstorm caused flight disruption’ — Air France speaks on Chad incident

Air France says a heavy thunderstorm caused the flight disruption which left Nigerian passengers stranded in Chad.

On June 1, Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, had said Nigerian passengers on an Air France flight from Paris to Abuja were stranded in Chad.

He also called on Air France to issue a statement on the fate of the passengers.

Responding to the minister’s demand on Saturday, the airline said flight AF878, scheduled to connect N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, to Abuja and then Paris-Charles de Gaulle, on May 31, was cancelled due to a heavy storm in N’Djamena.

Air France said the aircraft A330’s hull was damaged before takeoff.

The term “hull” typically refers to the body of an aircraft.

“The aircraft is grounded in N’Djamena,” the airline said in a post on X.

Air France also said the safety of its customers and crews is “of utmost importance”.

“Therefore, the company has taken care to accommodate all customers in hotels guaranteeing the best conditions of safety and comfort, in the vicinity of N’Djamena airport,” Air France said.

“A part of our customers will be able to board AF820 on Sunday June 2 at 7.45pm (landing in Abuja at 9.15pm), and the other part will be able to board AF 4191 on Monday June 3 at 8.15am (landing in Abuja at 10.15am).”

Air France expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the situation.

On his part, Keyamo appreciated the airline for its response.

“I have also chatted directly with some of the passengers in Chad and Mr. Jean Francois Hasperue, the French Chargé d’Affaire in Nigeria who has been proactive about the matter,” the minister said.

“They have all kept me abreast of the situation. Some passengers are being catered for in hotels in N’Djamena, but a few are still complaining of lack of care.”

Keyamo reiterated that Nigeria wants its citizens back home safe and sound.