Air France has responded to concerns raised by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, regarding Nigerian passengers said to have been stranded in Chad due to a flight cancellation.
In a statement via X on Saturday, the airline acknowledged the incident and attributed the flight cancellation to a heavy storm.
“Our flight AF878 scheduled to connect N’Djamena to Abuja, then Paris-Charles de Gaulle, on Friday May 31, 2024, has been cancelled due to a heavy storm in N’Djamena. Before takeoff, the aircraft A330’s hull was damaged”, Air France said in its statement.
The airline emphasised its commitment to passenger safety, stating, “Air France reiterates that the safety of its customers and crews is its absolute imperative”.
To address the situation, Air France assured all that it had taken measures to accommodate the affected passengers.
“The company has taken care to accommodate all customers in hotels guaranteeing the best conditions of safety and comfort, in the vicinity of N’Djamena airport”, the statement read.
Regarding the flight arrangements, Air France said, “A part of our customers will be able to board AF820 on Sunday June 2 at 7.45 pm (landing in Abuja at 9.15 pm), and the other part will be able to board AF 4191 on Monday, 3 June at 8.15 am (landing in Abuja at 10.15 am)”.
Air France acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the situation and expressed regret. “Air France regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation”, the airline stated.
The response from Air France comes after Keyamo raised concerns about Nigerians stranded in Chad due to the flight cancellation and called on the airline to issue a statement on the matter.
Earlier, Keyamo on Saturday said, “It has come to my attention that some Nigerians on an Air France flight from Paris to Abuja are presently stranded in Chad, from where the flight earlier dropped some passengers.
“I have immediately directed the Consumer Protection Department of NCAA to swing into action and engage Air France. We shall inform everyone of the outcome soon. Meanwhile, I urge @AirFranceNG to immediately issue a statement on the fate of those Nigerians”.
