Passengers stranded at Nigeria's airports as regulator suspends airline

KANO, Nigeria

Hundreds of passengers on domestic flights in Nigeria were stranded Thursday, creating chaos at airports after the Civil Aviation Authority suspended Azman Air’s operations certificate.

"We suspended the operation because our Airline Transport license Certificate (ATL) expired but we are in the process of renewal," according to an official with the airline who spoke to Anadolu Agency under the condition of anonymity.

Azman Air failed to refund passengers their money and passengers complained about the move that caught them unawares.

"Notice was not given to us and we left our houses as early as 6 a.m. to board the flight to Abuja but our mission failed over the suspension," Jerry Nwachuku, a passenger, told Anadolu Agency at Kano International Airport.

"I have a business meeting with foreign investors in Abuja by 10 a.m. but I have to phone them to postpone it until the next day because of the suspension," he said.

Adamu Ishaq, another passenger, said: "I am so disappointed because I have a visa interview in Abuja but I have no excuse than to risk my life and drive by road."

The Air Operators Certificate (AOC) is an aviation safety instrument that authorizes an airline operator to carry out specified commercial air transport operations.

Passengers traveling to Lagos from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport were affected.

Those at the Murtala Muhammad Airport Two in Lagos and the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano were trying to purchase tickets on another airline to continue their journeys.

Hundreds of passengers were also stranded at airports in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna.