MONROVIA – A private jet carrying Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and his delegation experienced a runway emergency at Roberts International Airport (RIA) on Thursday, May 29, 2025, prompting the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) to suspend all flight operations for the remainder of the evening.
According to a statement released by the LAA, the aircraft suffered a tire burst during landing, leaving it immobilized on the runway. The incident occurred earlier in the evening and led to immediate activation of emergency protocols. “Due to the nature of the incident and the difficulty in immediately removing the aircraft, the LAA has taken the precautionary measure of suspending all scheduled flights,” the authority said, emphasizing that the suspension aligns with international aviation safety procedures.
Sources confirmed that the jet had been returning from Nigeria and was transporting President Boakai and his team back to Liberia. Upon touchdown, one of the aircraft’s tires burst, causing the plane to stop abruptly in the middle of the runway and sparking panic among passengers. The President was quickly evacuated from the aircraft by members of his motorcade, while other members of his entourage were transported from the runway by airport shuttle.
Although the incident caused temporary alarm, there were no injuries reported. All passengers, including the President, were confirmed to be safe.
The LAA noted that its emergency response team is working with aviation technical experts to clear the aircraft and resume normal airport operations. “We understand the inconvenience this may cause to travelers and assure the public that every effort is being made to resolve the situation promptly,” the agency stated, adding that relevant aviation agencies are actively involved in managing the situation.
Flight operations are expected to resume as soon as the aircraft is safely removed and the runway inspected for any further damage. The LAA has pledged to provide continuous updates to the public.
The incident marks a rare but serious disruption at Liberia’s main international gateway and raises fresh concerns over runway safety and emergency preparedness at the nation’s primary airport facility.
