The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency NAMA has clarified what it describes as misleading reports regarding United Airlines flight UAL 613, which departed lagos en route Washington Dulles with 256 passengers and 11 crew members on January 24th 2025.
NAMA in a release by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Abdullahi Musa say contrary to some misleading reports the incident involving an Air return in Nigeria’s airspace did not occur within Nigeria’s airspace adding that “Flight UAL 613, a scheduled service from lagos to Washington fulfilled all depature protocols in accordance with international aviation standards.”
He disclosed that approximately two hours and 32 minutes after departure, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude while over Cote d’Ivoire’s airspace.
“Despite having the option to land in Bamako or Abidjan, the pilot, based on his perogative and assessment of the situation decided to return to Nigeria, being the origin of the flight and where he probably considered safer for him to make a landing rather than Bamako or Cote d’ivorie where he experienced loss of altitude”
He further disclosed that upon contact with the flight, ATC activated medical emergency services as requested by the pilot and also as required by laid down industry procedures, as all hands were on deck to recieve the aircraft on landing.
Upon arrival, emergency protocols were immediately activated by NAMA’s Air Traffic Controllers ATC and ground medical teams, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew onboard.
He noted that, another aircraft belonging to United Airlines flew to lagos from Accra to rescue the passengers having recieved treatment by Nigerian medical personnel, contrary to insinuations this aircraft from Ghana was strictly on a rescue mission and nothing more.
The NAMA emphasised that the Airline has not violated any airspace regulations and commend the pilot’s professionalism and judgement in prioritising the safety of everyone on board.
