… Says Flight Operations In 2016 Relatively Very Safe Despite Challenges
Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) said has expressed sincere concern over challenges and difficulties airlines and passengers have been subjected to over the past few days due to reduced flight visibility occasioned by the prevailing harmattan dust haze that has limited operations into most airports.
An online statement by the agency made available to Abelnewsng.com, said that while the agency is not unmindful of the economic losses to airlines, passengers and other airport stakeholders, the agency is however primarily required to ensure safety of lives and properties by ensuring that all flight operations are in compliance with minimum state weather conditions as published by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) for each airport.
The Acting Managing Director, NAMA, Engr. Emma Anasi, said in the statement that NAMA had earlier taken appropriate measures to ensure the availability and reliability of air navigation facilities at all airports.
He added that the agency in October 2015 implemented and published Performance Based Navigation (PBN) flight procedures for the guidance of aircraft into and out of 16 domestic airports in addition to similar procedures implemented at Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt in 2012.
He encouraged Nigerian airline operators to equip their fleets and take advantage of these new PBN flight procedures, as well as other satellite based navigation systems such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance Contract (ADS-C) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communication Systems that were implemented in 2015, with increased level of safety, accuracy, reliability, integrity, availability and continuity of service.
Furthermore, Anasi said that while the current severe weather conditions are expected to improve within the next few days, NAMA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation has embarked on the upgrading of existing facilities, as well as the deployment of new communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management systems that will further enhance capacity as well as safety, efficiency and economy of flight operations.
He stated that flight operations in the year 2016 had been relatively very safe following significant investments made in the development of safety critical infrastructure and manpower, assuring Nigerians that all efforts are been made to ensure more efficient and safe air navigation service delivery in the year 2017.
“Finally, while NAMA sincerely sympathises with all Nigerians who have suffered losses or inconveniences as a result of flight delays/cancellations, the agency however wish all Nigerians, the travelling public, airlines, sister agencies, and other stakeholders, a safe and Happy New Year ahead” Anasi said.
