Thieves get entry to an Eznis Airways plane after a security breach at Lagos airport.
A Boeing 737-73V with the registration number EI-ULN belonging to Eznis Airways was burgled and its Flight Management System taken at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos’ domestic terminal 2.
From pre-engine start and take-off until landing and engine shutdown, the FMS is a computer that provides virtual data and operational harmony between closed and open elements connected with a flight.
According to a source inside the airline, the theft occurred between the late hours of Wednesday 19 and the early hours of Thursday 20, resulting in flight cancellations and delays.
“The aircraft was parked inside the tarmac at MM2 and someone got access to the electrical electronic base where we have all the systems.
There is a door underneath the aircraft where they opened and got access to remove the FMC and that was why we had an obstruction in our operations that day.
It is expected that the CCTV should be on and capture whoever did it but we haven’t heard anything to that effect. The equipment that was stolen is small but it cost a lot of money.
To repair it cost about $15,000 and a brand new one costs about $300,000 as of 2021.