The Tunisian pilot who flew the Super Eagles of Nigeria to Libya for African Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifying match in Benghazi has said he was ordered by the Libyan government to divert the flight to Al-Abraq Airport, located 150miles away from destination point.
Recall the Super Eagles were billed to have landed at the airport in Benghazi and travelled nearly four hours drive by road to Benina where the match was to be played.
The pilot’s account came on a day the two arms of the National Assembly, the Senate and House of Representatives, flayed the Libyan government for subjecting the Nigerian team to dehumanising treatment, seeking stiff penalties for the Libyan authorities and asking the Federal Government to summon the country’s ambassador.
In a now-viral video, the pilot said the original plan was to land in Benina, a town in the Benghazi area of Libya, with prior approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority, LCAA.
The pilot said, however, that upon beginning descent, he was instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which was not listed as an alternate airport.
The Tunisian said he was told the order for flight diversion came from “Libya’s highest authorities.”
He said he repeatedly questioned the flight diversion order due to the limitation of aviation fuel but was ignored by Libyan aviation authorities.
“The flight plan was to land in Benghazi, Benina, and we had approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority.
“However, as we began our descent, we were instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which wasn’t even listed as our alternate airport.
“This decision came from the highest authorities, not me. In aviation, we calculate fuel based on our destination. Diverting unexpectedly can compromise safety.
“Everything is documented. I asked to land in Benghazi as per my flight plan, but they denied it, instructing me to divert immediately.
“I repeatedly questioned the directive and warned them about fuel limitations, but they insisted that we land in Al-Abraq, citing orders from the highest authority.”