The Tunisian pilot who flew Super Eagles to Libya for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers second leg fixture has narrated how the Libyan authorities ordered the diversion of the flight......KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE👈
The pilot whose name was undisclosed had, in a now viral video on X, recounted his experience on arrival at Libya with the team.
He narrated how the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority instructed him to divert the flight from the slated Benghazi airport.
He would learnt that the directive was from the Libyan authorities despite getting approval to land at Benghazi.
“The flight plane was to land at destination Benghazi airport and we got approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority. But unfortunately, they asked us to divert to Al Abraq which is almost 300 kilometers around more far Bayda East.
“It wasn’t even our own alternate- something which is not good because in aviation, we help our flight land. We calculate the fuel to our destination so we have to avoid this kind of thing because it is a breach to safety.
“I insisted to land in Benghazi according to my flight plan and according to my organization, but they said no, it is from the highest authority. We have to land in Al Abraq.” The pilot said.
Meanwhile, reacting to report on landing at the Al Abraq airport based on his digression, the pilot debunked the report.
He stressed that it was the directive of the Libyan authorities as he recalled how he tried convincing them over the directive.
“In aviation, we cannot hide anything. I asked them several times, at least eight times and I warned them probable I will be in trouble for fuel.
“They said it is from the highest authority, you cannot land in Benghazi. You have to divert immediately to Al Abraq.” He added.