An airplane operated by Max Air, carrying 559 Jigawa pilgrims, made an emergency landing twice in a 24-hour period which left passengers stranded. The first emergency landing was made few minutes after departure at the Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi International Airport Dutse on Wednesday, due to the aircraft being struck by lightning.
According to Umar Labbo, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, the passengers were air-lifted from the Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi International Airport in Dutse to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at 4:45 pm on Wednesday. The plane was replaced after the first emergency landing, but the replacement aircraft also developed a fuel problem in Cameroonian airspace, which led to the second emergency landing.
However, the official assured the public that all the passengers had arrived safely and were kept in good condition at the Aminu Kano Airport. Labbo also confirmed that another flight, an alternative to the previously troubled planes, had been arranged and the pilgrims left for Saudi Arabia on Thursday around 4.00 pm with Max Air.
Moreover, Bello Ramadan, the Max Air manager in Kano, corroborated the second incident in a chat with Media Talk Africa, stating that the flight returned to the airport due to a minor malfunction.
In the meantime, the airline and the airport authorities have assured the public of the utmost vigilance regarding the importance of safety in air travel, while also maintaining control of the situation and ensuring the safety of all passengers.
