BREAKING: Qatar Airways Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Lagos Over Oxygen System Fault

The aircraft, registered A7-BCL, declared an emergency at 6.05pm, according to airport authorities.

A Qatar Airways aircraft made an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos State, on Friday evening after the crew reported a technical fault in the onboard oxygen system, SaharaReporters has learnt.

The aircraft, registered A7-BCL, declared an emergency at 6.05pm, according to airport authorities.

SaharaReporters further learnt that the pilots informed "air traffic control of an oxygen system fault that required immediate attention, prompting the emergency landing protocol."

The plane touched down safely at 6.31pm.

Following the landing, the aircraft taxied from the runway at 7.35 hours and was directed to Delta 35 open bay for passenger disembarkation.

Authorities confirmed that passengers were safely removed from the plane after a thorough technical inspection by Qatar Airways operations and safety personnel.

The emergency prompted a swift mobilisation of response teams, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Fire Service, the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS), FAAN Medical Services, and the FAAN Security Department.

Additional support came from the Lagos State Fire Service and the Port Health Services, ensuring both technical and medical contingencies were in place.

Qatar Airways staff on the ground collaborated closely with airport authorities to oversee the situation and provide immediate assistance to passengers. Officials noted that the aircraft would undergo further technical evaluation before returning to service.

Though unusual, oxygen system faults are among the rare technical issues that can trigger emergency landings. Aviation safety protocols prioritize passenger wellbeing, and crews are trained to respond quickly to such situations.

This is coming a few weeks after a Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, crashed at another Nigerian airport, Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

The aircraft had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport on December 16 before diverting to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.

The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the airport premises, with four passengers and crew members onboard.

Also on December 14, an aircraft operated by the Flybird Aircraft Management Services Ltd crashed-landed at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano State.