Enugu Air confirmed a safe evacuation after the plane deviated from the Benin Airport runway

An Enugu Air plane went off the runway after landing at Benin Airport on Thursday, triggering an emergency response but leaving all passengers and crew injured.

The airline confirmed that the incident involved one of its Embraer regional jets and described it as a runway trip, thereby reassuring the public that everyone on board disembarked safely without injury.

In a statement released on X’s official account, the airline said the plane experienced the incident shortly after landing and aviation regulators had been notified in accordance with standard safety procedures.

“Enugu Air would like to inform the public that one of our aircraft operating in Benin experienced a run-off after landing today.

“We ensure that all passengers and crew have disembarked safely and there are no injuries or fatalities.

“The aircraft has been seized and the relevant aviation authorities have been notified in accordance with established procedures. An assessment of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the incident is currently underway,” the airline said.

The airline noted that the incident may disrupt some scheduled operations as the investigation and assessment continues.

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“As a result, there may be temporary adjustments to some flight schedules. Passengers affected by any changes will be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance.

“The safety of our passengers, crew and operations remains our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and will continue to provide updates through our official communication channels,” the statement added.

The incident sparked concern after a video circulated on social media showing the plane stopping on the runway, raising speculation that the plane had made an emergency landing.

However, Enugu Air dismissed the report, explaining that the incident was a runway excursion—a term used in aviation when an aircraft leaves the runway while landing or taking off—and stressed that no injuries or fatalities were recorded.

The aircraft involved is one of the Embraer regional jets recently introduced to Enugu Air’s fleet as part of the state-owned airline’s commercial operations.

The cause of the runway derailment is not yet known, while aviation authorities are expected to carry out a full investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.