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NCAA cautions pilots, airlines, passengers over bad weather

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has cautioned pilots and airline operators to exercise caution during the dry season due to hazardous weather conditions.

This advisory comes from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), which has alerted the public to the possibility of reduced visibility as a result of dust haze moving into the country from its source region.

According to the release, “Winds over 10m and 925hPha are conducive for the propagation of dust haze into the northern parts of the country. Stations in the source region, including Niger (Goure, Zinder, Maine-Soroa, Diffa, N-Guigmi), are reporting horizontal visibility between 800m and 6000m.

“These sources from Chad are expected to experience poor horizontal visibility in the next 24 hours, based on available models. Due to strong winds, the suspended dust is expected to spread to some states in the northern part of the country, further reducing horizontal visibility, especially over Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Jigawa, Potiskum, and Maiduguri in the next 24 hours.”

The NCAA issued this information to alert pilots to the specific weather conditions associated with the dry season in Nigeria, which can range from light to severe dust haze and sometimes early morning fog. These conditions can reduce horizontal visibility to levels below the aerodrome operating minimums.

The regulatory body stressed the importance of the general public taking necessary precautions in trip planning during this period to avoid unnecessary flight delays.

Also enumerated effects of this hazardous weather on flight operations to include: Air-to-ground visibility reduction due to haze dust or fog; Aerodrome visibility may fall below the prescribed operating minima, and in severe conditions, dust haze can blot out runways, markers and airfield lightings over wide areas making visuals navigation extremely difficult or impossible; and Flights are bound to be delayed, diverted or cancelled where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed aerodrome operating minima.

“In view of the above, all Pilots, Operators and Air Traffic Controllers are obliged to abide by these safety requirements: Closure of the airspace by Air Traffic Controllers when any of these conditions in (3) are observed or forecast by NIMET;Strict adherence to published aerodrome weather minima by Flight Crews/Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC); Pilots/Flight Crew Members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET Aerodrome Meteorological Offices and Stations prior to flight operations and exercise maximum restraint whenever an adverse weather is observed; and Operators shall ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to cushion the effects of delay or cancellations on their passengers.”

The NCAA urged all passengers to exercise patience and understanding during this period as their safety is of utmost importance even as it advised all Airline operators and stakeholders to avail themselves of weather reports for effective planning in their operations as violations would be viewed seriously.

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