An Arik Air flight bound for Port Harcourt was forced to make an emergency diversion on Wednesday morning after the crew reported an engine malfunction while descending into the Rivers State capital.
The Boeing 737-700 aircraft, registered 5N-MJF and operating Flight W3 740 from Lagos, encountered trouble mid-air when pilots heard a loud bang from the left engine during approach to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
In line with standard safety procedures, the flight crew diverted the aircraft to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure.
The plane landed safely without further incident.
All 80 passengers and crew members on board disembarked without injury, the airline confirmed.
Arik Air said arrangements had been made to transport the affected passengers to Port Harcourt, their original destination.
In a statement issued after the incident, the airline’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, apologised for the disruption and reiterated the carrier’s commitment to passenger safety.
“The safety and wellbeing of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air. We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted,” the statement said.
The aircraft is expected to undergo technical checks as part of standard post-incident procedures.
