Written by Dickson Omobola
Arik Air Boeing 737-700, registration number 5N-MJF, has been diverted to Benin Airport as a precaution after a loud noise was reported on the left engine.
The incident happened as the plane, which was flying flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt this morning, was descending at Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa.
In a statement, Adebanji Ola, the airline’s corporate communications manager, said that all 80 passengers had safely departed.
According to the statement: “Today, February 11, 2026, Arik Air’s Boeing 737-700 (5N MJF) aircraft operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt was diverted to Benin Airport after the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine.” When the issue occurred, the plane was descending to Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa. The crew had to safely divert to Benin as a precaution.
advertisements by “All 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked, and neither passengers nor crew suffered any injuries.” Plans have been put in place to get the impacted travelers to their destination.
We offer our heartfelt apologies to the travelers from Port Harcourt whose travel has been interrupted. At Arik Air, passenger safety and wellbeing are our top priorities.
