A Passion Air domestic flight, OP122, en route from Accra to Takoradi on Saturday morning, May 31, 2025, experienced a mid-air scare when it was compelled to return to Kotoka International Airport in Accra just 15 minutes after its approximately 6:20 am takeoff. The unexpected return has sparked conflicting reports, with passengers alleging a critical fuel shortage while the airline cites an unspecified technical issue.

Passengers aboard the flight described a frightening experience. According to one passenger who shared their account on social media, the crew provided no immediate explanation for the sudden turnaround. It was only after the aircraft landed safely back in Accra that passengers were reportedly informed the plane lacked sufficient fuel to complete its journey to the western regional capital. The passenger expressed their alarm online, stating, "Just had the most terrifying experience with a domestic flight in Ghana. We boarded at 6:20am, took off and barely 15 minutes in, they announced we had to turn back to Accra. No clear reason. Only to be told on the ground that the plane didn’t have enough fuel to reach Takoradi. A whole commercial flight with insufficient fuel."

PassionAir has confirmed that its flight OP122 did indeed return to Kotoka International Airport shortly after departure. However, the airline has dismissed the claims circulating on social media regarding a fuel shortage. An official from PassionAir, speaking to JoyNews, clarified that the aircraft experienced a technical issue, prompting the crew to return to Accra as a safety precaution. While the nature of the technical fault was not specified, the official stressed that it was unrelated to fuel supply. Some initial reports indicated that Passion Air had yet to issue a comprehensive official statement addressing the incident more broadly.

The conflicting accounts have fueled widespread concern on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), where the passenger's post gained significant attention. The incident has raised serious questions among the public regarding aviation safety standards, pre-flight safety checks, and operational procedures within Ghana's domestic aviation sector. If the passenger allegations of a fuel shortage were confirmed, it would represent a major breach of standard aviation protocols, which mandate airlines carry sufficient fuel for their planned route plus additional reserves for emergencies and diversions.

The alleged oversight has prompted calls from the public for a thorough investigation into how such a potentially dangerous situation could occur during routine domestic operations. Passengers and the public await further clarification and a detailed explanation from Passion Air to address the concerns and restore confidence in the airline's operational safety. The discrepancy between the passenger accounts and the airline's initial response highlights the need for transparency regarding the events of Saturday morning's aborted flight.