Fear arise as United’s airplane skids off runway, heading to Ebonyi.

Scores of passengers panicked, yesterday, as an aircraft operated by United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) skidded off the runway at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA2.

A full cabin of 50-seater,flying in from the Abakaliki Airport in Ebonyi State, when the incident happened.

The airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, confirmed the incident during his explanation, saying the aircraft skidded off the runway 18L in the final phase of landing.

He said all passengers disembarked safely and were transported to the arrival hall alongside their luggage.

“United Nigeria wants to reassure the public that it maintains strictest safety standards in its operations, and shall continue to prioritise passenger safety at all times,” Uchegbu said.

Meanwhile, officials of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), moved swiftly to the scene of the incident alongside UNA engineers, who made arrangements to move the aircraft to the hangar.

According to the airline, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have also been informed for investigation.