ABUJA – The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has said that the incident regarding the air return of United Airlines UAL 613 flight did not occur within the Nigerian airspace contrary to misleading reports.

According to the agency said that for the avoidance of doubt, the reported incident involving an air return of Flight UAL 613, a scheduled service from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos to Washington Dulles, fulfilled all departure protocols in accordance with international aviation standards.

The Director, Public Affairs/Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Musa clarified in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the agency, approximately two hours and 32 minutes after departure, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude while over Côte d’Ivoire’s airspace.

Despite having the option to land in Bamako or Abidjan, the pilot, based on his prerogative and assessment of the situation, decided to return to Nigeria, being the origin of the flight and where he probably considered safer for him to make a landing rather than Bamako or Cote d’ivorie where he experienced the loss of altitude.

“Upon contact with the flight, Air Traffic Control (ATC) activated medical emergency services as requested by the pilot and also as required by laid down industry procedures. All hands were on deck to receive the aircraft on landing. Lagos Area Control Centre picked the flight 180 nautical miles from Lagos.

“It activated a medical emergency stand-by and guided the flight to a safe landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

“Upon arrival, emergency protocols were immediately activated by NAMA’s ATC) and ground medical teams, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew onboard. Another aircraft belonging to the airline flew to Lagos from Accra to rescue the passengers having received treatment by the Nigerian medical personnel. Contrary to insinuations this aircraft from Ghana was strictly on a rescue mission and nothing more.”

NAMA also emphasised that the airline has not violated any airspace regulations and commend the pilot’s professionalism and judgment in prioritising the safety of everyone onboard.

According to him, NAMA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of airspace safety and ensuring that all operations adhere to international best practices.

“While hoping that this clarification would disabuse the minds of unsuspecting air travelers and reassure them of the safety of the Nigerian airspace, we also implore analysts to obtain authentic information from appropriate quarters before commenting on critical national issues.”

InforealityNews reports that the US National Transport Safety Board has commenced investigations into the incident that occured on January 24.

Recall that four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, while 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries, however, no life was lost.