An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 carrying 80 passengers from Lagos to Port Harcourt was diverted to Benin Airport on Wednesday morning after a loud bang was heard from one of its engines mid-flight.
The aircraft, with registration number 5N-MJF, was operating flight W3 740 and had begun its descent into the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred.
According to a statement issued by the airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, the operating crew heard a loud bang from the left engine and, as a precautionary measure, decided to divert the aircraft to Benin.
“Arik Air’s Boeing 737-700 (5N-MJF) aircraft operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt today, February 11, 2026, diverted to Benin Airport after the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine,” the statement read.
“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa when the incident happened and as a precautionary measure, the crew had to make a safe diversion to Benin.”
All 80 passengers and crew members were safely disembarked upon landing, with no injuries reported. The airline said arrangements had been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination.
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For passengers on board, the unexpected diversion likely brought moments of anxiety, but the safe landing in Benin underscored standard aviation safety protocols designed to prioritise lives over schedules.
Arik Air apologised for the disruption caused to travellers bound for Port Harcourt, reiterating its commitment to safety.
“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air,” the statement added.
Further details regarding the cause of the engine noise were not immediately available, but aviation experts note that precautionary diversions are standard procedure whenever unusual mechanical sounds are detected during flight.