By Chinelo Obogo
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has denied reports that airlines cannot use runway 18R/36L, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, because the lighting system was stolen.
The Authority’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, said in a statement that the runway was reopened for full operations on February 17, 2024 after 11 months of closure for rehabilitation work and has since been in use for landing and taking off of international flights without incidents.
She said: “FAAN has thought it necessary to respond to the series of misinformation on the runway 18R/36L, which is designated for international operations. Runway 18R/36L of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, was reopened for full operations on February 17th 2024 after 11 months of closure for rehabilitation work. The runway has since been in use for landing and taking off of international flights without incident using link 2 and link 3.
“FAAN is proud to reveal that according to statistics made available by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Air Traffic Control Services, between April 1, 2024 and May 1, 2024, a total of 1189 departures and 1165 landings were recorded on runway 18R/36L. It is important to note that the MMIA is currently operating as CAT 2 airport designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The approach, edge, and centre line lights are in optimum condition and fully functional. Flights are taking off as well as landing on the runway, day and night.
“The ongoing contract work is an upgrade of the airfield lights to CAT 3. This work does not affect the operations of the runway in any way. At FAAN, we consider the media as our partners and we believe it is important that reporters are up to speed with verified information at all times. We operate an open-door policy. Efforts should be made to get input from us so we can better serve end users.”
Runway 18R/36L at MMIA functioning optimally -FAAN
By Chinelo Obogo
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has denied reports that airlines cannot use runway 18R/36L, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, because the lighting system was stolen.
The Authority’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, said in a statement that the runway was reopened for full operations on February 17, 2024 after 11 months of closure for rehabilitation work and has since been in use for landing and taking off of international flights without incidents.
She said: “FAAN has thought it necessary to respond to the series of misinformation on the runway 18R/36L, which is designated for international operations. Runway 18R/36L of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, was reopened for full operations on February 17th 2024 after 11 months of closure for rehabilitation work. The runway has since been in use for landing and taking off of international flights without incident using link 2 and link 3.
“FAAN is proud to reveal that according to statistics made available by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Air Traffic Control Services, between April 1, 2024 and May 1, 2024, a total of 1189 departures and 1165 landings were recorded on runway 18R/36L. It is important to note that the MMIA is currently operating as CAT 2 airport designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The approach, edge, and centre line lights are in optimum condition and fully functional. Flights are taking off as well as landing on the runway, day and night.
“The ongoing contract work is an upgrade of the airfield lights to CAT 3. This work does not affect the operations of the runway in any way. At FAAN, we consider the media as our partners and we believe it is important that reporters are up to speed with verified information at all times. We operate an open-door policy. Efforts should be made to get input from us so we can better serve end users.”