KEY POINTS

• Air France led their Paris-Abuja aircraft to make a stop in Lomé because of severe weather conditions.
• Minister Festus Keyamo publicly expressed disapproval about the airline’s management of the stranded passengers.
• The Nigerian government took control to achieve immediate assistance for stranded passengers.

A severe weather condition in Abuja forced an Air France aircraft carrying Nigerian passengers from Paris to divert to Lomé in Togo where they experienced an unexpected stop.

Passengers experienced frustration due to the unplanned stop because Air France failed to provide any clear instructions about the resulting travel plans.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development named Festus Keyamo showed immediate concern about how the airline managed this situation. Despite the weather diversion, he pinpointed Air France’s first choice to stay passengers overnight in Lomé even though it was reported that Abuja had conditions ready for landing.

Government demands immediate resolution

Keyamo officially stated on his X account that he participated in discussions with both Nigerian aerospace officials and Air France officials to achieve quick resolution of the case.

The official insisted that Air France passengers needed immediate return to Abuja as the airline provided standard international accommodations if Lomé overnight stay became necessary.

Reports showed that the intervention led airlines to initiate steps for passenger repatriation to Abuja as they resolved to stop the ongoing delays.