An air mishap was averted on Saturday after a Medview plane airlifting 222 Muslim pilgrims, collided with a flock of birds while taxiing for take-off.
The plane, a Boeing 767, was conveying the pilgrims from Ilorin International Airport, Kwara State, to Saudi Arabia, where the pilgrimage would hold.
It was learnt that the pilot of the aircraft displayed a high sense of professionalism by aborting the flight while the pilgrims, who were said to be unhurt were de-boarded.
Also,, Medview Airline was said to have arranged for another plane, a Boeing 747, to airlift the pilgrims, who were joined by another set.
The media consultant, Medview, Obuke Oyibotha, in a statement confirmed the bird strike.
He said, “Birds strike on Saturday night forced a Medview Airline to abort a Saudi bound flight at Ilorin airport. The B767 aircraft carrying 222 pilgrims was taxiing for take-off when it was struck by a brood of birds forcing the pilot to abort the flight.
“The 222 pilgrims were de-boarded without incident, and arrangements were made to provide another aircraft to airlift them. The airline assured all pilgrims that the schedule for their airlift to the Holy Land will not be affected by the incident. The airline on Saturday night flew a team of engineers and rotables to Ilorin to get the aircraft back to service.”
The Managing Director, Muneer Bankole, said that the airline had already airlifted 675 pilgrims from the airport. He added that the airline would continue to maintain its adherence to safety standards and convenience of its passengers.
Also, he said that Medview will airlift between 11,000 and 12,000 pilgrims nationwide for this year’s hajj.
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