Qatar Airways’ Lagos–Doha flight returns safely after in-flight technical issue

Qatar Airways said its aircraft operating the Lagos–Doha route returned safely to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after the flight crew detected a technical issue while the plane was airborne on Friday.

The airline said the aircraft, flight QR1406, was turned back as a precautionary measure in line with international aviation safety procedures and landed without incident.

The plane was carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members at the time of the incident.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Qatar Airways confirmed that all passengers disembarked safely on arrival and were attended to by ground staff.

The airline added that affected passengers were rebooked on the next available flights, while others were provided accommodation and assistance to complete their journeys.

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), emergency response teams were immediately deployed from the agency’s command and control centre in Ikeja after receiving distress alerts.

The agency said responders were placed on high alert along the runway to ensure a safe and coordinated operation.

It added that the response involved multiple agencies, including LASEMA emergency teams, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

LASEMA further said that after safety checks were carried out by the flight crew and engineering personnel, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and technical assessment.

“All passengers were evacuated safely. No injuries or loss of lives were recorded,” the agency said.

The incident also drew a response from Nigeria’s aviation regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which dismissed claims suggesting the aircraft narrowly avoided a crash.

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Reacting to reports circulating on social media, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, described the claims as misleading.

“Escaped death? For an air return due to technical issues that landed normally and safely without incident?” he wrote on his official X page.

“There was no incursion or excursion. No crash landing,” Mr Achimugu added.

He further explained that most of the affected passengers continued their journeys shortly after the aircraft returned, while a small number were accommodated in hotels and rebooked on alternative flights.

Qatar Airways reiterated that the safety of its passengers and crew remains its highest priority and apologised for the inconvenience caused by the disruption.