Cows stray into airport runway in Akure, prevent plane from landing

Cows strayed into the runway of the Akure airport in Ondo state on Saturday, preventing an Air Peace flight from landing.

The Lagos for Akure plane was delayed for several minutes before it was cleared for landing after aviation security officials dispersed the cows from the runway.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said normalcy has since been restored at the airport. It apologised to Air Peace Airlines and passengers for the incident.

“The Authority will like to assure travellers and the general public that efforts are already ongoing to close the gap that aided this incident,” FAAN said.

Confirming the incident, Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said: “We confirm that flight P4 7002 from Lagos had to delay landing into Akure Airport today (Saturday) when the pilot-in-command sighted cows on the runway at about 12.15pm.

“On being alerted by control tower, aviation security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN AVSEC) quickly intervened and cleared the runway.

“The flight was eventually cleared to land after about seven minutes. Our guests on board were all calm while the delay lasted. “The aircraft departed for Lagos at about 1.06 with full escort from FAAN security personnel.”