Remotely piloted aircraft crashes in India’s Rajasthan

A remotely piloted aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) Thursday crashed in India’s western state of Rajasthan, officials said.

No loss of life or damage to property was reported in the accident.

The aircraft crashed during a routine training sortie near Jaisalmer, about 600 km west of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan.

IAF has ordered a probe into the crash.

Last month a Tejas aircraft of IAF crashed in the compound of a student hostel in Jaisalmer during a training sortie.

However, the pilot ejected safely and no injuries have been reported on the ground.

(Xinhua/NAN)

Passengers, crew unharmed as Dana Air aircraft veers off runway

A Dana Air aircraft with registration number, 5N BKI, flying from Abuja to Lagos on Tuesday morning, veered off the runway during a landing operation at the Murtala Mohammed airport in Lagos.

A statement signed by Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, Head of Corporate Communications of the airline said all the 83 passengers and crew members onboard were unharmed.

According to Ezenwa, the airline was relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight, disembarked safely without injuries or scare as the crew handled the situation with utmost professionalism.

He said all relevant authorities have been informed of the incident.

“We have also updated the AIB and NCAA on the incident and the aircraft involved has been grounded by our maintenance team for further investigation.

“We wish to thank the airport authorities, and our crew for their very swift response in ensuring the safe disembarkation of all passengers following the incident.

“Our sincere apologies and appreciation to the passengers on the affected flight for their patience and understanding.

“We wish to reassure our passengers that their safety will always be our top priority, and we are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he noted.

(NAN)

Ohaneze lauds Air Peace for Lagos-London flight operations

The Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has lauded the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, for the airline’s commencement of direct flight operations from Lagos to London.

The commendation is contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, on Friday in Enugu.

The association said that the decision to praise Onyema was reached on April 16 at a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide presided over by its President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

According to the group, at the meeting, Iwuanyanwu noted extra-ordinary contributions Onyema has made to Nigeria in the recent past which include evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa as a result of Xenophobic attacks in September 2019.

“Others are the evacuation of no fewer than 277 Nigerians, especially students, who were stranded in Sudan following the outbreak of war in Central Sudan, and the Air Peace Investiture Award to 1980 Nigerian Football Legends, among others,” it said.

It expressed delight that  Air Peace could connect passengers from Abuja, Asaba, Benin, Enugu, Owerri, Warri and Port Harcourt to London.

The association said that it was cheering that barely two weeks after Air Peace began Lagos-London direct flights,  foreign carriers had reduced their airfares on the route by over 50 per cent.

“Chief Allen Onyema deserves national applause because he has brought relief and succour to Nigerians.

“Ohaneze Ndigbo congratulates Chief Allen Onyema and urges him to remain undaunted.

“The Lord will continually renew your strength. You shall mount up with wings and soar high as the eagles, and the fleet and routes of the Air Peace shall remain on the increase.

“We urge Air Peace to remain steadfast in its characteristic commitment to upholding the airline’s reputation, delivering quality service to passengers and promoting the image of Nigeria at all times,” it said.

(NAN)