By IFEYINWA OMOWOLE

There was a chaotic scene at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Terminal 2 departure lounge on Wednesday evening, after Dana Airlines reported operational challenges leading to disruption of flight schedules.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that passengers caught in the web of the disruption, protested the treatment meted out to them, accusing the airline of abandoning them.

One of them, who gave her name as Mrs Olumoko, told NAN that she came in from Abeokuta to board a DANA morning flight at 10 a.m., but had been affected by the disruption.

She said that she was stranded as she had yet to retrieve her bags.

NAN correspondent who was at the airport for a flight to Abuja, which was also cancelled, reports that a pregnant woman, who was with a toddler, was seen screaming, accusing the airline of unfair treatment of passengers.

She said her husband was waiting for her in Abuja already and the airport there was far from his place.

Another affected passenger said that the airline officials needed to come to address the passengers, instead of keeping them guessing, especially as it was getting late, minutes before 8.00pm.

Other affected passengers littered the terminal, complaining of the disruption of the schedules.

DANA Airlines, in a statement on the incident, attributed the disruption to operational challenges and non-scheduled maintenance of aircraft.

It claimed that passengers on the affected flights had been provided options and issues resolved.

The airline said safety of its customers remained a top priority.

It also described as untrue, reports that one of its engines exploded shortly before takeoff on Wednesday.

The statement, attributed to the management, was made available by Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa, Head, Corporate Communications of the airline. (NAN)

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