* Dysfunctional Instrument Landing System (ILS) Equipment at MMIA responsible for disruptions

* Thousands of air travellers stranded in Accra

* How British Airways abandoned its Nigerian passengers in Ghana

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Contrary to the earlier extensive claim by authorities and several unwary travelling public that 鈥減oor weather conditions鈥� informed the recent disruptions to all international flights bound for Lagos, Nigeria, and subsequent diversions to Ghana, findings have revealed that complications from the non-functional new equipment installation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, really caused the flight interruptions and cancellations for days.

绿帽献妻 checks revealed that the British Airways and Emirates Airlines are among the carriers unable to land at the MMIA and were instead rerouted to Ghana.

The diversions are roiling travel plans for many of their passengers, according to statements e-mailed to affected passengers and reviewed by CNN.

The diversions were said to be as a result of 鈥減oor weather鈥� in Lagos, which is Nigeria’s commercial hub, whereas the Ministry of Aviation reportedly described the cause as 鈥渋nadequate equipment聽to check visibility.鈥�

James Odaudu, Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, said the airport is 鈥渋n the process of replacing the old Category 2 Instrument Landing System (ILS) with the newly procured Category 3 system that allows for the lowest visibility landing.鈥�

Incidentally, Instrument Landing System normally works as 鈥渁 signal navigation aid that guides pilots when landing in low visibility.鈥�

It was gathered that hitherto the airport authorities in Lagos had experienced difficulties replacing their old ILS with a new one, making it impossible for airplanes to land.

鈥淯nfortunately, there was a malfunctioning of certain components, which, coupled with the unforeseen weather conditions, made landing at the airport difficult,鈥� Odaudu said in the statement.

Passengers stranded at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana鈥檚 capital city, have reacted angrily, saying it would have been easier if flights had been rerouted to Abuja, Nigeria鈥檚 capital city.

Fola Olatunji-David, a technology entrepreneur and one of the affected air passengers whose February 11 flight to Lagos was diverted, stated that British Airways had not made provisions to take them back to Nigeria after initial promises to do so.

鈥淲e landed in Accra on Tuesday night, and they kept stringing us along. They kept changing the time, Olatunji-David said.

鈥淲e will leave at 11 p.m., we will leave at 2 p.m., but we are still here,鈥� he said of the British Airways, in an interview with CNN.

He and other passengers had been in Accra for about three days, waiting for flights back to Lagos.

The passenger related that many flights were fully booked, making it difficult to secure tickets back home.

According to him, 鈥渢he airline became culpable when they left us to find our way home. There are minors on this flight, pregnant women, people who are now forced to get home on their own,鈥� he added.

British Airways has not responded to multiple requests from CNN, seeking comment. But according to statements sent to passengers and reviewed by CNN, the airline blamed poor visibility at the Lagos Airport and promised to cover passengers鈥� hotel, Internet and refreshments costs.

鈥淲e regret to inform you that due to the operational constraints, we have had to cancel this flight.

鈥淲e recommend that you make your own travel arrangements to Lagos as we are unable to operate safely in the coming days,鈥� British Airways鈥� statement to passengers read.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Aviation said it was trying to get the situation back to normal.

Ministry officials also approved diversion of more recent flights to Abuja, FCT.

Airlines like Qatar Airlines also applied to redirect their flights to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and got approval for it, Odaudu said.