Sixty-one Nigerian air travelers on an Air France flight from Paris to Abuja, found themselves stranded in Chad due to a weather-related technical problem that forced the airline to divert their route.
The passengers in a social video that went viral on Saturday made an appeal to the Federal Government from Chad to urgently airlift them to their destination in Abuja.
24 hours after their plea, the Federal government responded through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The Minister on his social media handle X, shared a video recorded by some of the stranded passengers seeking assistance from his office. He announced that he has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to immediately liase with Air France and take necessary steps to resolve the situation.
Keyamo further asked Air France to provide timely updates on the status of the stranded Nigerian citizens.
The minster assured Nigerians that further updates will be announced.
The NCAA has confirmed that accommodation and meals have been provided for the 61 stranded passengers, and a replacement plane from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris is scheduled to arrive Chad on Sunday to transport the passengers to Abuja.
NCAA further explained that The Estimated Time of Departure is being discussed and passengers will be updated.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
