January 17, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
LAGOS, Nigeria — A Qatar Airways long-haul flight bound for Doha was forced to execute an emergency landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday evening after the flight crew reported a critical oxygen system malfunction mid-air, aviation authorities and official statements confirmed.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating Flight QR1406 with 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board departed from Lagos earlier in the day when the onboard oxygen system fault emerged as the aircraft climbed to cruising altitude. Upon detecting the issue, the flight crew immediately declared an emergency with air traffic control and initiated a rapid descent and return to Lagos under international aviation safety protocols.
Airport authorities registered the emergency call at approximately 6:05 p.m. local time. The aircraft landed safely on runway 18R at Murtala Muhammed International Airport around 6:31 p.m., minimizing risk to passengers and crew. Following the landing, the aircraft taxied to a designated open bay where all passengers were disembarked safely.
Emergency response teams were mobilised swiftly, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Fire Service, Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS), FAAN Medical Services, Port Health Services and Lagos State Fire Service working in tandem to manage the situation and provide support. Qatar Airways ground staff also coordinated passenger assistance while the aircraft underwent initial technical inspection.
A preliminary report from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that despite the serious nature of the oxygen system fault a rare but critical issue that can jeopardise cabin pressurisation and passenger wellbeing there were no injuries or fatalities reported. All 248 passengers and crew disembarked without harm, and the grounded aircraft has been secured for further mechanical evaluation and repair.
Aviation experts note that oxygen system malfunctions are classified among the more severe technical anomalies in modern airliners because they directly affect vital life-support systems. In such cases, pilots are trained to institute immediate corrective measures, including descent to lower altitudes where supplemental oxygen is less critical, before diverting to the nearest suitable airport a response that played a central role in the safe outcome of this incident.
Flight QR1406’s safe return adds to a growing record of effective international aviation emergency responses, even as it highlights the importance of rigorous maintenance and robust safety checks for aircraft systems. The airline has not yet released an official statement on the incident or a timeline for the aircraft’s return to service.
The emergency landing comes amid heightened attention on aviation safety in Nigerian airspace, following several unrelated aircraft incidents in recent weeks. Authorities continue to emphasise their commitment to stringent monitoring and rapid response to ensure passenger safety across the country’s airports.