Aero Contractor, a Nigerian airline, has clarified that its Port Harcourt-bound aircraft did not develop a mid-air fault, but instead performed an air return to its maintenance base in Abuja due to low hydraulic fluid. The managing director of the airline, Capt. Ado Sanusi, explained that the aircraft had to return to the maintenance base for a top-up of hydraulic fluid. Sanusi emphasized that air or ground returns are part of standard airline operations worldwide, and apologized to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the glitch, which affected the airline’s schedule for the day.
Sanusi disclosed that the Abuja maintenance base had the necessary hydraulic fluid, which could be used to top up the low fluid level. The pilot decided to return to the base in Abuja because the airport had a maintenance base, unlike Port Harcourt, which lacked one. The airline transferred the passengers to another plane headed for Yola, after the glitch was discovered. A passenger on the affected flight narrated that the aircraft took off at around 8:40 am, but the pilot announced a few minutes into the flight that they had to return to Abuja due to a technical issue. The passenger said that many people on board started crying and praying after the announcement, but the pilot managed to land the aircraft safely despite the difficulty encountered.
In the aviation industry, air or ground returns are standard procedures used to address issues that may occur mid-flight. Although such incidents can cause inconvenience to passengers, the safety of passengers and crew is the top priority of airlines. Aero Contractor has been providing aviation services in Nigeria for over 60 years, and it is one of the leading airlines in the country. The airline operates domestic, regional, and international flights, providing reliable and safe air transport services to passengers