Runway incident: Enugu Air safety non-negotiable, says Mbah

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has strongly affirmed that air safety remains the highest priority for Enugu Air, following a runway incident involving one of the airline's aircraft at Benin Airport on Thursday. The governor personally signed a statement expressing sympathy for the 63 passengers and five crew members aboard the Embraer E170 aircraft, emphasizing his gratitude that no lives were lost and no injuries were reported.

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The Enugu State Government is aware of the runway incursion involving Enugu Air Embraer E170, Flight 4264, operating into Benin Airport from Lagos on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

"The Enugu State Government is aware of the runway incursion involving Enugu Air Embraer E170, Flight 4264, operating into Benin Airport from Lagos on Thursday, July 23, 2026," Mbah stated. He added that the government empathizes with those on board over the traumatic experience and is thankful no one was harmed.

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The government empathises with the 63 passengers and five crew members on board the aircraft over the traumatic experience and is thankful to God that no life was lost and no injuries have so far been reported.

The governor commended the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau for its prompt initiation of an investigation into the incident. He pledged the state's complete cooperation with the agency and other aviation regulators. "The government commends the swiftness of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau in embarking on the ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances and factors that may have led to the incident. The government will ensure the full cooperation of its going concern, Enugu Air, with the investigation and regulatory authorities," he assured.

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The government commends the swiftness of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau in embarking on the ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances and factors that may have led to the incident. The government will ensure the full cooperation of its going concern, Enugu Air, with the investigation and regulatory authorities.

Mbah reiterated that Enugu Air was established with a safety-first culture, asserting that operational decisions will consistently prioritize passenger safety over commercial interests. He stated that the airline operates under the highest safety standards, with quality assurance systems exceeding industry benchmarks. The governor thanked Nigerians for their support and positive feedback regarding the airline since the incident.

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While the outcome of the investigation is awaited, the government assures the public that the operations of Enugu Air are guided by the highest safety standards. The airline is founded on a corporate culture that places safety above profit and schedule, and its quality assurance and quality control systems stipulate a safety threshold that is considerably higher than the industry benchmark.