Other Foreign Airlines Use Same Runway BA Faulted, Navigation/Landing Facilities Are Working, NAMA Insists

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has insisted that its navigational and landing facilities are operating optimally.

British Airways had on Monday 6th January, 2020 diverted its Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos-bound flights to Accra, Ghana which according to the airline was due to low visibility, faulting the Instrument  Landing System installed at Lagos Airport.

The agency noted that other foreign airlines including Emirates, Delta, KLM, Lufthansa to mention but a few had landed on the same runway in similar weather conditions.

In a statement signed by the agency’s General Manager, Public Affairs,  Mr. Khalid Emele stated that British Airways (BA) company requirement for approach and Landing on runway 18 Right using PBN is 1800m as against the prevailing visibility of 1500m.

Furthermore, it stated that despite the above diversion, BA has been operating into Lagos daily using the ILS CATII on Runway 18 Left with the same prevailing weather conditions.

The agency insisted that the diversions were avoidable based on existing facilities.

However, the agency noted that it is awaiting flight calibration in line with NCAA and International Civil aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations and world best practices.

“While we recognize and appreciate the right of our workers to clamour for better work tools and operational environment, the reality is that our navigational infrastructure nationwide is not in any state of degradation. Our navigational facilities are operating optimally but are awaiting flight calibration in line with NCAA and International Civil aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations and world best practices.”

“The idea behind the installation of CAT III Instrument Landing System in strategic airports in the country was borne out of the need to enhance safety, efficiency, access and seamlessness of flight operations in our airspace especially during the harmattan season.”

“The prevailing weather condition in Lagos of 1,500m is within the approved minimum state weather conditions for Performance Based Navigation (PBN) approach and landing on Runway 18 Right as well as Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach and landing on Runway 18 Left which is 400m.”

“Nonetheless, the British Airways (BA) company requirement for approach and Landing on runway 18 Right using PBN is 1800m as against the prevailing visibility of 1500m. It should be noted that all other foreign operators including Emirates, Delta, KLM, Lufthansa, etc landed on the same runway in similar weather conditions. It should also be noted that BA, despite the above diversion, BA has been operating into Lagos daily using the ILS CATII on Runway 18 Left with the same prevailing weather conditions. Therefore, these diversions are avoidable based on existing facilities.”

“The newly installed CAT III ILS was implemented to forestall situations like this,” it stated.

The agency revealed that all is set for the commencement of flight calibration navigational facilities nation from the 16th of January, 2020.