Faulty Door Forces British Airways to Abandon 58 Abuja Passengers as NCAA Confirms Safety Concerns

A British Airways flight from Abuja to London was disrupted on Friday, August 15, 2025, after a faulty aircraft door forced the airline to offload 58 passengers, sparking widespread concern but underscoring the priority placed on safety in air travel.

The incident occurred during pre-flight checks on Flight BA052, scheduled to depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to London Heathrow.

Engineers reportedly discovered a defect in one of the aircraft’s doors, which, according to aviation protocol, meant that seats within proximity to the faulty exit could not be occupied. This technical requirement led to the decision to deny boarding to 58 booked passengers.

Confirming the development, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said the airline’s action was in line with global safety standards. NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, explained that safety takes precedence in every flight operation and stressed that “no airline is permitted to operate with any defect that could endanger lives.”

He also urged passengers to always seek assistance from NCAA’s Consumer Protection Officers stationed at airports whenever they encounter disruptions.

British Airways moved swiftly to mitigate the inconvenience. Out of the 58 affected passengers, 30 were lodged in hotels at the airline’s expense, while 28 opted to return to their homes in Abuja. The airline assured that alternative flight arrangements were being made to convey them to London the following morning.

While the incident caused frustration among stranded travellers, aviation authorities and industry experts have hailed the decision as an example of strict adherence to safety regulations. In a sector where passenger confidence is paramount, the swift intervention both by the airline and the NCAA highlights the delicate balance between customer service and safety obligations.

As of Saturday, British Airways was working on re-accommodating all affected passengers, with the NCAA maintaining oversight to ensure their rights were protected in accordance with Nigerian aviation consumer protection laws.