Following the recent diversions of Lagos bound foreign flights, the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika has apologized to passengers and airline operators stating that there was a malfunctioning of certain components, which, coupled with the unforeseen weather conditions, made landing at the Murtala Muhammed International airport difficult.
The apology was contained in a statement signed by Director, Public Affairs James Odaudu
The minister explained that authorities were in the process of replacing the old Category 2 Instrument Landing Systems with the newly procured Category 3 system that allows for the lowest visibility landing before the current issues arose.
He noted that the experiences of air travellers to and from the MMIA regarding flight diversions and cancellations, due to highly inclement weather conditions were regrettable.
It stated “While these developments are greatly regretted, we wish to let the public know that the authorities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos was in the process of replacing the old Category 2 Instrument Landing Systems with the newly procured Category 3 system that allows for the lowest visibility landing.
Unfortunately, there was a malfunctioning of certain components, which, coupled with the unforeseen weather conditions, made landing at the airport difficult.
“The procurement of the Category 3 Instrument landing System is in pursuance of the desire of the Federal Government to ensure the safety of air passengers by ensuring that airplanes can land with almost zero visibility.
“We wish to assure the public and the airlines, that efforts are on to return the system to full working condition and that normalcy of operations will be re-established in due course.
He, however, decried the diversion of flights to other country stating that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja could have conveniently handled those flights informing that Qatar Airways is already doing so:
“On the diversion of incoming international flights to neighbouring countries, we wish to reiterate that the decisions are purely those of the airlines which we have no control over.
“However, it should be noted that those flights could, and should have been rerouted to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja which is shorter or equidistant from Lagos to the foreign airports to which some of the flights have been diverted.
“In recognition of Abuja as an alternate airport, Qatar airlines has applied to divert its flights to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, to which the Minister granted immediate approval. It is left to be seen why some others decided to divert to another country.
“We wish to use this medium to assure the general public that the comfort, safety and security of the flying populace remains the central focus of this administration and that no effort would be spared in ensuring this.”
Emirates had on Wednesday diverted its flights while Atlanta-based carrier, Delta and KLM, yesterday cancelled their flight to Lagos till today owing to inclement weather.
Foreign flight diverted included British Airways (BA) from London, Delta Airlines from USA and Emirates Airline from Dubai.
However, Reacting to the issue, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) had on Wednesday stated that the diversions are in the interest of safety.
The agency reassured airspace users and the general public that the Nigerian Airspace remains safe for seamless, and economic air travel.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has on the same note appealed to passengers for their understanding over the prevailing flight delays and cancellations experienced in airports across the country due to the adverse weather situation.
The Authority stated that the prevailing inclement weather is a global experience at the moment which had warranted cancellation of in-bound international flights alike; therefore, not peculiar to Nigeria.
The Authority had earlier urged pilots, operators and other stakeholders to exercise restraints over harmattan dust haze and safety approach to adopt.
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