The Federal Government has announced a delay in the fourth evacuation flight scheduled to bring stranded Nigerians home from South Africa after a technical fault was discovered on the aircraft assigned for the operation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday.
It explained that the evacuation flight was grounded in Johannesburg after cracks were detected on the cockpit windscreen during pre-flight checks, making it unsafe for take-off.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Air Peace would deploy another aircraft to South Africa later on Wednesday to evacuate the affected passengers.
“We have a situation in Johannesburg, South Africa, regarding the operation of the fourth evacuation flight.
“The flight couldn’t take off because cracks were discovered on the windscreen in the cockpit.
“Air Peace will deploy another aircraft to South Africa later today to bring the returnees. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience,” Ebienfa said.