Just in: British Airways Denies Boarding to 58 Passengers on Abuja–London Flight Due to Faulty Door

In a disruption that affected dozens of travelers, British Airways on Friday denied boarding to 58 passengers scheduled to fly from Abuja to London after a faulty aircraft door was discovered.

The incident was confirmed by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Relations and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. He stated, “they had to deny 58 passengers boarding this morning.”

According to the NCAA, strict aviation safety regulations require airlines to leave seats vacant when technical issues compromise aircraft integrity. The decision was made to ensure passenger safety and compliance with international standards.

British Airways provided hotel accommodation to affected travelers. Of the 58, 28 passengers opted to return home, while 30 accepted the lodging offer. The airline has arranged to airlift the stranded passengers on Saturday morning.

Passengers impacted by the delay are eligible to file for compensation under airline passenger rights. Achimugu advised travelers to locate NCAA Consumer Protection Officers at the airport terminal in such situations, emphasizing that “your right to care is protected.”

This event underscores the importance of airline safety protocols and the role of consumer protection in ensuring passengers receive proper care during flight disruptions.