Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has backed the ongoing investigation into the runway excursion involving the state-owned Enugu Air, assuring the public that safety remains a top priority in the airline’s operations.
Mbah, in a statement personally signed by him and issued to journalists on Friday, commended the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for promptly commencing an investigation into the incident.
The governor also sympathised with the 63 passengers and five crew members aboard the aircraft, expressing gratitude that no lives were lost and no injuries had been reported.
The incident involved an Enugu Air Embraer E170 aircraft, operating as Flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin, which reportedly overran the end of Runway 05 while landing at the Benin Airport at about 3:10 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Mbah assured investigators and aviation regulators of the state government’s full cooperation, saying Enugu Air would provide all necessary support to facilitate the investigation and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He said the airline’s operations were guided by strict safety standards, with safety prioritised over profit and flight schedules.
According to him, Enugu Air’s quality assurance and quality control systems maintain a safety threshold above the industry benchmark, adding that the airline would continue to operate while maintaining its commitment to safety, professionalism and hospitality.
The governor also thanked Nigerians for their support and solidarity following the incident, noting that many passengers and members of the public had continued to share positive experiences about the airline since its launch.
Meanwhile, the NSIB confirmed that it had commenced an investigation into the runway excursion involving the Enugu Air aircraft at Benin Airport.
The bureau said all 63 passengers and five crew members on board had been accounted for and that no injuries were reported.
