The Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has commended the Federal Government for the successful installation of Airfield Lighting on Runway 18L/36R at the Domestic Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
Onyema, in a statement, hailed the minister of aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika on the feat as well as President Muhammadu Buhari for his administration’s favourable policies to the aviation industry.
Daily Trust reports that the Federal Government has just completed the AFL installation at the domestic airport runway 14 years after the facility was commissioned. With the installation, aircraft can now take off and land at night without taxiing to the international runway while saving more fuel.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) shut down the runway on July 7, 2022, for 90 days to install the equipment comprising approach lights, Runway Lights (Threshold and Centre, edge light and others) so that it can return to full 24/7 operations.
However, after three months and three days, the runway has been reopened with a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) already issued by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) intimating airline operators of the new development.
The NOTAM A0441/22 NOTAMC A0439/22 emanated from the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) of NAMA.
The Air Peace Chairman said, “I must applaud the Federal Government for successfully installing lighting facilities on Runway 18L/36R. President Buhari has been supportive of the aviation sector and projects like this one are a testament to this fact. One is not oblivious to the strides that have been achieved in Nigeria’s aviation sector courtesy of President Buhari.
“The installation of Airfield Lighting on this particular runway will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of airlines and reducing the cost of operations as well as enhance the possibility of increasing flight frequencies. It will also help reduce the turnaround time, which makes for more operational efficiency, and both the operators and passengers will benefit from it.”
Meanwhile, Mohammed Mamman, regional general manager of FAAN, South-West, commended stakeholders for their patience in the last 12 years before the AFL was fixed.
He said, “Friday, the 11th November 2022 will remain a landmark in the annals of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos as its 2nd Runway, 18L/36R came alive after being closed for a stretch of one decade and two years (12 years) due to the non-availability of Airfield Lighting System. The inaugural flight was Air Peace’s Flight P4-7420 operated on a B737 aircraft with the registration number 5N – BUJ and departing Lagos for Kano at 0618hrs of 11-11-22. Today is a day for appreciation.
“Our appreciation goes to the Federal Executive Council led by His Excellency, and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari who approved funds necessary for the implementation of this safety-critical Project. We are immensely appreciative of the doggedness of the Honourable Minister for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who vigorously pursued the continued elevation of civil aviation in Nigeria and provided the requisite oversight for this AFL project.”
