The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) has warned Airlines and pilots to ensure they get adequate departure, en route and destination weather information are obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency(NIMET) prior to flight operations.
NCAA’s warning is predicated on the forecast by NIMET of the occurrence of moderate to severe outbreaks of dust in the country during this harmattan period; between November 2015 to March 2016.
The NCAA gave the warning in an online statement signed by the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman and made available to journalists.
Muhtar explained that severe outbreaks of dusts could reduce atmospheric visibility significantly and thus impact negatively on flight operations, adding that based on the above, the agency has issued to all airline operators and pilots to comply with the following rules.
According to him, Airlines and pilots should, “Ensure that adequate departure, en route and destination weather information are obtained from NIMET prior to flight operations, exercise maximum restraint when adverse weather is observed or forecasted by NIMET and ensure that flight operations are scheduled with adequate weather information from NIMET to minimise delay or cancellation of flight operations.
The Director General appealed to all concerned to strictly comply with laid down regulations and state minima.
