It was all drama yesterday at the Bauchi Airport when passengers used ladder to disembark from a chartered aircraft belonging to Nigeria’s oldest carrier: Aero Airlines.
It was learnt that the aircraft had problems with unserviceable equipment by the airport management.
It was also learnt that the flight, which had 34 passengers onboard, took off from Abuja and the travellers boarded without any problem, but trouble started after it landed in Bauchi.
According to Aero in a statement, the passengers had to use a ladder to disembark because of the unserviceable equipment the airport management used for disembarking travellers from flights.
The airline said, “A special charter flight operated by Aero to Bauchi had problems with unserviceable equipment by the airport management in disembarking about 34 passengers from Abuja.
“Consequently against the airline’s wish and operational safety guideline, the passengers used a ladder to disembark. However, at the time of boarding, the air stairs were functional and the passengers boarded successfully.”
The airline stated that its crew tried to calm the passengers but could not stop them from disembarking.
It said, “Aero wishes to state that it took adequate and safety measures for this operation, including the airport’s ground staff, to handle the air stairs equipment in Bauchi, unfortunately it became unserviceable at the point of disembarking.
“Although the airline crew tried to calm down the passengers to wait while the equipment was being fixed, the passengers insisted on their own volition to disembark against all safety protocol of the airline. Aero Contractors wishes to state that it is reviewing its safety measures with all charter operations to all airports to prevent such reoccurrence. Aero will continue to take adequate measures to ensure that its operations remain safe and secure.”
