Enugu and Nigerian Aviation: Now, Ensuring Safe and Seamless Travel for Tourists

Published on November 24, 2025

The domestic flight by Xejet from Lagos to Enugu had an emergency in-flight situation when, upon landing, the aircraft suffered a landing gear malfunction. Staff were safely evacuated to an emergency shelter across the airport after the flight landed at 19:10. No injuries were reported, but because of the situation, a coordinated emergency response was initiated by the airport for the safety of all personnel involved.

The aircraft, 5N-BZN, suffered from a malfunction of the aircraft’s nose landing gear, a condition that in itself is an emergency, which resulted in the aircraft becoming an obstruction to the landing runway, ‘08’. Standard operating regulations require an immediate response activation, which in this case, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), after determining that the site of the incident was an ‘emergency site’, activated her emergency site protocol which was the deployment of all emergency response vehicles.

Evacuation efforts were complete 38 minutes after the incident at 19:48 when personnel were evacuated using airport emergency response protocol. There was no reported injuries to any personnel involved. Emergency Services call to the site was characterised by a coordinated response of personnel across several services extending to the airport fire rescue units. No personnel injuries were reported, reflecting the extreme emergency response protocol enacted by the airport which is designed to be applied to a ‘multi-causation incident’.

Both the staff at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the airline crew worked hard to organize the evacuation. FAAN Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Director Henry Agbebire corroborated this and stated that the safe evacuation was a top priority during the incident. Agbebire stated that the authority’s primary concern was the safe evacuation of the passengers and the crew, as well as other individuals within the airport.

While the investigation regarding the nose—landing gear malfunction continues to take shape, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) are expected to engage the airline and examine the incident in question in detail. It is well understood that, and with the utmost respect, no recommendations will be made until a thorough examination of the facts and circumstances is accomplished.

For the African aviation industry, this incident underscores the importance of emergency response resource mobilisation, which is aimed at ensuring the safety of the passengers. While this mobilization of resources is not commonplace, the aviation industry, airports, and airlines must understand the inherent safety risks and therefore, the field needs to be equipped with adequate safety protocols.

Flying on a plane to arrive at a destination takes less time than, say, traveling by bus on a street at low speeds for hours. Furthermore, the rapid response of the officials at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport highlights the level of professionalism within the Nigerian aviation industry. Flying in and out of a country also fosters trust in the nation’s airports and aviation bodies. If the officials are quick to respond, and act in a professional matter, the public would more likely trust the aviation bodies.

Even Though the recent incident at Enugu was confined and efficiently managed, it still has the capability of spreading fear, and adversely impacting traveling for tourism. Enugu has a vibrant culture and rich history, as seen in the Ogbunike Caves and the National Museum of Unity. The Incident also shows travelers that the airport and airlines can adequately prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Moreover, the volume of air travel within and out of Nigeria has increased as a large number of tourists travel around the country. The Akanu Ibiam International Airport, in particular, is a major entry point to Enugu, a city known for its rich culture, history and a variety of tourist attractions. The promptness of the response to the incident has shown that Nigeria has the required infrastructure to support the aviation industry and tourism at the same time.

The Importance of Safety Measures in the Airline Industry for the Growth of Tourism

The Xejet incident serves as a reminder for travel agents, tour operators, and airlines within Nigeria and other African countries. Safety management should be prioritized as it is needed for the better and safe travel. Tourists, especially international travelers, should be able to have the confidence to travel to countries like Nigeria, whether for business, leisure, or cultural tourism.

There is a high correlation between the safety protocols of airlines and the growth of tourism in a country. The safety and maintenance of aircraft should be prioritised, especially on the nose-landing gear, as it is a critical aspect of the overall safety of the aircraft. There is long term tourism growth when there is a positive correlation with aviation safety and the overall growth of the tourism industry.  

Finding the Right Balance for Growth and Infrastructure

There is a constant need for more investment in the aviation industry in Nigeria, especially after the incident in Enugu, which accurately depicts the need for better airports, better fleet maintenance, and better workforce training. With the growth of international and domestic tourism, there is a greater need for airport bodies to provide safe and efficient services to travellers.

Enugu’s stunning natural environments and unique culture are bringing even more tourists and citizens to the area. The overall beauty and character of the area serve to highlight and augment attractions like the Awhum Waterfall, the Ogbunike Caves, and the Enugu Golf Course. The ongoing expansion of the airport and its facilities to meet International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards will help further develop the area’s tourism potential.   

Conclusion

Akanu Ibiam International Airport is the first Airport in the South East of Nigeria to enjoy the operational benefits of a newly constructed International Terminal, as a result of the Airport’s growth and the IATA standards expansion of the Airport. In safety, tourism growth, and crisis management, we will now enjoy the benefits of these Facilities and the valuable lessons in Emergency Response and Management.  

The evacuation of the airport was a success from a safety standpoint, and we appreciate the cooperation and assistance of the Airport Authorities in this regard. For all stakeholders, this incident demonstrates the commitment to safety and will encourage more travel to Enugu and the South of Nigeria. For both the travel and tourism industries, and even more, for the people of Nigeria, it emphasizes the need for safety, for reliability in travel.