In less than 24 hours, one of the 2023 Hajj carriers, Max Air which departed for Saudi Arabia has rerouted twice to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The airline conveyed the first batch of 554 intending pilgrims bided to perform hajj in Saudi Arabia was said to have departed the Dutse International Airport at exactly 4:45 pm, Wednesday.
The Kano based Boeing B747 5N-HMM also had on board 21 crew members however diverted the seven hours journey back to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on emergency landing, few minutes after take-off.
Although, there were conflicting narratives over the cause of the diversion to Kano airport, a Manager at Max air, Bello Ramadan told journalists that the reroute was necessitated due to thunderstorm and impact of lightening that struck on the aircraft.
Expectedly, the frightening incident triggered tension and untold panic among the passengers, majority of them experiencing air turbulent for the first. Nevertheless, the spokesperson of the Max air, took time to dispel the tension insisted the situation does not cause for worry.
“The problem is not as much as the passengers are reporting, some of them are panicking and reporting what did not happen, the airplane’s engine and tires are in perfect condition.
“We have provided an alternative plane to continue the journey, the plane is about fueling, and the passengers are okay, even though some of them are panicking but there is no cause for alarm.
“It was a thunder strike that affected the left side screen, thank God it was mere scratch and not broken and the pilot decided to return. Very soon they will continue with the journey, Ramanda assured.
Hajj Reporters gathered that alternative aircraft B747 within the airlines fleet was reassigned to airlift the pilgrims to continue the journey to the holy.
However, the reassigned aircraft which departed Kano airport at about 2.30am early hours of Thursday made another rerouted back again to Kano airport.
A reliable source told Hajj Reporters that the aircraft was compelled to divert the journey about three hours into Cameroun airspace when a technical fault was noticed midair. The second flight landed back to Kano airport about 5.40am.
Confirming the development again, Ramadan revealed that the aircraft had to return to MAKIA over technical issue.
Although, the official assured that the pilgrims would depart for Saudi Arabia as soon as Max air secure clean bill of health from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), there are uncertainty on the part of intending pilgrims, Hajj Reporters learnt
Credit: Independent Hajj Reporters