Pilot admits to safety concerns during Nigeria flight

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Oct 17, 2024. 12:57

The Tunisian pilot who transported the Nigeria squad to Libya has described the events that led to them being stranded at Al Abraq International Airport for more than 16 hours.

The Super Eagles boycotted their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya on Tuesday after being left without food or water during their ordeal.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the fixture had been postponed and that an investigation would be launched into the matter.

The Fly Value Jet was meant to land in Benghazi, but was diverted some 300km away from their intended destination at the last minute, with the pilot admitting there were serious safety concerns.

“The flight plan was to land at destination Benghazi Benina and we got the approval from the leading Civil Aviation Authority that we are approved to land in Benghazi,” he said.

“When we started to descend they asked us to divert to Al Abraq, which is almost 300km to the east. It wasn’t even our alternate. Something which is not good because in aviation we have our flight plan, we calculate the fuel to our destination. So we have to avoid this kind of thing because it may make the bridge to safety.

“I warned them probably I will be in trouble for fuel, but they said it’s from the highest authority. ‘You cannot land in Benghazi, you have to divert immediately to La Abraq’.”

The pilot was relieved to reach their new destination without incident, declaring: “Thank God we made it safely.”