THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to close down the domestic Runway 18 Left of the Murtala Muhammed Airport to enable it carry out maintenance work on the taxiway of the runway.
According to FAAN’s Managing Director, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, in Lagos yesterday, the repair, which has the blessing of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), would begin tomorrow.
Aisuebeogun explained that the repair would take place at night after the last flight everyday.
He further disclosed that the domestic runway would be closed to flight operations from Saturday, July 4, 2009, to enable the FAAN’s engineers carry out two-day maintenance work on the runway, which would be re-opened to traffic on Monday, July 6, 2009.
The management of FAAN, while appealing to all operators and the general public to bear with it over the inconveniences the repairs might cause, however, said the decision to repair the runway had already been communicated to the management of Murtala Muhammed Airport to enable it make all necessary arrangements towards the success of the exercise.
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to intimate airlines using the runway with the planned repair has already been issued to airlines operators.
The runway 18L/36R was opened for daylight flight operations in December 2008.
According to FAAN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Akin Olukunle, the authority in accordance with ICAO regulations, has decided to carry out scheduled maintenance works on the runway to enhance safety.
Jun292009