A Qatar Airways aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Friday evening after the crew reported a technical fault in the onboard oxygen system.
Airport authorities confirmed that the aircraft, with registration number A7-BCL, declared an emergency at about 6.05pm after notifying air traffic control of the malfunction, which required immediate attention.
The plane landed safely at 6.31pm and taxied off the runway at about 7.35pm before being directed to Delta 35 open bay, where passengers were disembarked.
Emergency response teams from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), including the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services,
Medical Services and Security Department, were immediately mobilised. They were supported by the Lagos State Fire Service and Port Health Services to ensure both technical and medical contingencies were addressed.
Qatar Airways ground staff coordinated with airport officials to manage the situation and assist passengers, while engineers commenced a thorough technical inspection of the aircraft. Authorities said the plane would undergo further evaluation before being cleared to return to service.
Though rare, oxygen system faults are classified as serious safety issues that require swift action, with aviation protocols prioritising passenger wellbeing and crew preparedness in such emergencies.
The incident comes weeks after a series of aviation emergencies in Nigeria, including the crash of a Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express at the Sam Mbakwe
International Cargo Airport, Owerri, on December 16, and another crash-landing involving Flybird Aircraft Management Services Ltd at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on December 14
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