NCAA Attributes Recent Flight Cancellations to Bad Weather

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has attributed flight cancellations by domestic airlines to bad weather due to the harmattan haze which started around November last year. The Director-General of NCAA, Captain Usman Murktar, who made this known on Tuesday, sought the understanding of passengers, saying that the cancellation was necessary for safety reasons. The regulatory body said the airline operators are strictly adhering to the regulatory guidelines enshrined by the authority to conduct airline operations in Nigeria in the interest of safety. Few weeks ago, NCAA issued a weather alert to sensitise all pilots on the hazards associated with the Harmattan dust haze in flight operations at this time of the year. The regulatory body said the alert also served as a warning to aircraft captains to be aware of the obvious threat the Harmattan dust haze poses to aircraft particularly in the areas of low visibility. NCAA explained that Harmattan which is prevalent at the cessation of the rainy season leads to heavy fog, hence air-to-ground visibility is considerably reduced. The agency said all pilots are therefore expected to obtain adequate departure, en route and destination weather information and briefing from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). “The authority is therefore reiterating its earlier advice to airline pilots to exercise maximum restraint when there is adverse weather forecast. In similar vein, passengers are enjoined to bear with the airlines during this period as the authority will not compromise safety and security of air transportation in Nigeria. NCAA urged all passengers to be aware that whilst the regulatory body is the statutory regulatory authority, it behoves on the airlines to ensure that all safety regulations are adhered to to allow for a seamless air travel in the Nigerian airspace. 

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