The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN has made
public that the unacceptable incidence at the Bauchi Airport is not its making.
According to the statement made available through the agency’s spokesman,
Yakubu Dati “ we wish to clarify that
Aero Contractors’ use of unauthorized equipment (ladder) to disembark its
passengers does not have anything to do with FAAN.”
Dati explained further that the Bauchi Airport is managed
by the Bauchi State Government and that FAAN only provides statutory services
at the airport such as aircraft marshalling, aviation security services and
fire cover. The Authority does not provide handling services for Aero Contractors
and therefore does not understand why it should be held responsible for non-provision
of appropriate equipment for passenger disembarkation.
Meanwhile, the Accountable Manager of Aerocontractors, Captain
Russell B. Lee Foon explained that all proper arrangements were made including
the assurance of the airstairs before
they embarked on the charter operation of the aircraft Boeing 737-500 to the
Bauchi Airport.
Briefing aviation correspondents at their Headquaters on the
issue Russell said: “On Thursday 17th
December 2015, a charter was booked and confirmed from Abuja to Bauchi on a
Boeing 737 -500 series aircraft. The charter was booked by a group of young
people, part of a wedding party, attending this important event in Bauchi.
On Friday 18th December 2015, confirmed arrangements were
made by our Head of Ground Operations, Mr. Peter Omata for the handling of the
flight through the airport manager of Bauchi, Mr. Abubakar. He confirmed on
many occasions the availability of the airstairs and cost. The aircraft to be
used for the flight was 5N-BLG, a Boeing 737-500 series aircraft. This aircraft
was positioned into Abuja on the evening of December 18th 2015.
On Saturday 19th December 2015, schedule time of
departure for Bauchi was 09:00. Passengers arrived late at the airport after
departure time and this delayed the flight’s departure. The flight was under
the command of Captain Nikcevic VLADO.”
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