A Delta Airlines flight from Lagos to Atlanta was forced to divert to Accra, Ghana, after an onboard oven caught fire, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, aboard Flight DL055, which had departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, en route to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. According to NCAA spokesperson Michael Achinugu, the fire was quickly extinguished and did not endanger passengers or crew. However, the unscheduled landing at Kotoka International Airport disrupted operations, as the crew’s duty time had already exceeded regulatory limits, preventing them from continuing to Atlanta that day.
Delta Airlines immediately activated contingency measures to manage the situation. Some passengers were rebooked on the carrier’s Accra–New York service the same evening, while others were placed on alternative flights the following night. “Flight DL055 LOS–ATL finally departed from Accra on September 25, 2025, at approximately 12:00hrs,” Achinugu confirmed.
The disruption also forced Delta to cancel its inbound Atlanta–Lagos flight scheduled for September 25. Although the airline had notified travelers in advance, it provided hotel accommodations and ground transport for those who still appeared at the airport. To reduce the inconvenience, 23 passengers were rebooked on Air France, while others were accommodated on British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa flights. The rest were scheduled to travel on Delta’s next available Lagos service on Friday, September 26, at 11:40 a.m.
Addressing speculation that Air France had also cancelled a Lagos-bound flight, Achinugu clarified that the airline’s service would operate as scheduled at 1:30 a.m. “Contrary to earlier reports, the Air France flight from Lagos has not been cancelled,” he said.
Speaking from Montreal, where he was attending aviation meetings, Achinugu explained that he had to frequently step out to coordinate updates and communicate with affected parties. He assured passengers that support measures were ongoing and encouraged travelers impacted by the disruption to reach out for assistance.
Aviation analysts have emphasized that while the incident caused frustration and delays, Delta’s handling of the situation reflected compliance with international safety protocols. The swift containment of the oven fire, the decision to divert the aircraft, and adherence to crew duty regulations demonstrated a commitment to passenger safety above convenience.
The NCAA reinforced its stance that all airlines operating in Nigeria must maintain the highest standards of safety and reliability. Though the event caused logistical challenges, all affected passengers were eventually re-accommodated. Officials highlighted that the diversion, though disruptive, served as an example of how global aviation protocols ensure that unexpected inflight incidents are managed without compromising safety.
