LONDON— A British Airways (BA) flight, BA82 from Abuja (ABV) to London Heathrow (LHR) on Friday (August 15, 2025), faced disruption after a faulty aircraft door forced the airline to deny boarding to 58 passengers.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the safety-related issue, noting that affected passengers were either provided with hotel accommodation or allowed to return home, with rebooking arranged for the next day.
Photo: Andrew Thomas | FlickrBritish Airways Denied Boarding to 58 Passengers
The problem arose when British Airways (BA) detected a fault in one of the Boeing 777 aircraft’s doors before departure. As a result, the airline had to reduce passenger numbers to comply with safety standards.
According to NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu, this measure was necessary to minimize risks linked to the door malfunction.
In his official statement, Achimugu clarified that 28 passengers chose to return home, while 30 others accepted hotel accommodation offered by the airline. He further emphasized that British Airways will provide compensation to eligible travelers, and arrangements have been made to airlift them on the following day.
The flight was operated by a Boeing 777-200ER, registered as G-VIIE. It is a 28.5-year-old aircraft powered by two GE90 engines.
NCAA Consumer Protection Role
The NCAA reminded travelers of their rights under existing regulations. Achimugu advised that in cases of delays or cancellations, passengers should first seek assistance from NCAA Consumer Protection Officers present at the airport terminal. These officers ensure that passengers receive proper care and that airlines meet their obligations.
This includes offering meals, hotel accommodation when necessary, and rebooking passengers on alternative flights.
The NCAA also highlighted that affected passengers may file for compensation under applicable aviation consumer protection guidelines.
Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – American Airlines, N106NN, Airbus A321-231, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41995921Similar Incident
A viral video shows a family denied boarding on an American Airlines (AA) flight at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), triggering public debate over whether the decision was tied to their Jewish identity. The flight in question, AA1011, was scheduled for New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on April 21, 2025.
The family had arrived from a connecting flight from Cancún International Airport (CUN) and reached the gate just before departure. Despite the aircraft door being visibly open, the gate staff refused them boarding.
American Airlines (AA) cited the missed boarding deadline, while the family questioned if discrimination had played a role.
The father recorded a 60-second video at the boarding area, later posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which quickly surpassed 10 million views. In the clip, the family can be seen attempting to board, with the father explaining that they held valid tickets and were not traveling on standby.
According to his account, they were last in line, yet the passenger directly ahead of them was allowed onto the aircraft moments before the door was closed. This raised suspicions of selective enforcement, with the family alleging that their faith may have influenced the decision.
Gate agents, however, stated that the final boarding cut-off had already passed. In airline operations, this deadline is typically set at “D minus 10,” meaning ten minutes before scheduled departure. Once that time passes, even if the aircraft door remains physically open, the system locks further boarding entries to ensure flight preparation can continue.
Photo: By Sunnya343 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54438226Understanding Airline Boarding Cut-Offs
American Airlines, like most major carriers, enforces strict boarding deadlines for safety and operational reasons.
After the cut-off point, flight crews and ground staff must complete documentation, weight balancing, and final checks before takeoff. Allowing passengers to board after this stage can disrupt established procedures and potentially delay the flight.
In this case, the flight status on the gate monitor displayed “Closed,” indicating that no additional boarding was possible within the system. Even passengers holding confirmed tickets are barred once the system locks, regardless of circumstances.
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