Ladder crisis: Aero indicts Bauchi airport manager

The Accountable Manager and Managing Director, Aero, Capt Russel Lee Foon, has said that the airline was assured of adequate ground handling services by the Bauchi Airport Manager before the airline embarked on a flight with B737—500 series with registration 5N-BLG.

Lee Foon, who disclosed this while briefing aviation correspondents, on Monday, on what happened at Bauchi Airport, at the weekend, added that the charter was booked by a group of young people, who were to attend a wedding party and that the groom was also on board.

The Accountable Manager explained that on December 18, 2015, the airline Head of Ground Operations, Mr. Peter Omata, confirmed the handling of the flight through the Airport Manager of Bauchi, Mr. Abubakar, and that he, also, confirmed, on many occasions, the availability of the air stairs and cost.

He further explained that prior to leaving Abuja, the Flight dispatcher contacted the Airport Manager to advise that the aircraft was taxing out and he confirmed that they were ready to receive the flight.

According to him, “At 10:42 the aircraft touched down on Runway 35 at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport. The controller advised the crew that due the absence of marshallers and ramp officials of any sort, that parking would be at their own discretion.”