Muktar, during a routine inspection of the airport’s runway disclosed to newsmen on Monday, that NCAA had concluded the second phase of inspection as a result of the recommendations made to the contractors to correct some lapses that were pointed out by aviation experts.
After the closure of the airport by the federal government on the 8th of March, 2017 for six weeks in other to enable the commencement of rehabilitation on the airport 3.5km runway in a bid to enable the airport to operate effectively, flights were diverted to the neighboring Kaduna International Airport.
In the words of the Director-General, “We have carried out the inspection and we have confirmed that the job has been done quite satisfactorily in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and recommended practices.
“So, the airport, the runway is very ready to accept flight operations safely.
“By this, we are declaring that the airport and its runway are quite operational at the time that has been determined as the official opening of this airport,” he declared.
Muktar said his agency has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to all aviators worldwide that the airport is ready for reopening on Wednesday as scheduled.
According to him, calibrations are done periodically and that the airport will also be calibrated along with others.
“It will be normal routine calibration which will be applicable to other airports that are due for recalibration,” he said.
It is against this background that, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma, had said that the runway was fully ready for reopening and confirmed that it had been completely cleaned up.
He explained that the runway was cleared “because we have our technical team working across the length and breadth of the runway to make sure that every detail is observed”.
“That is why all equipment has been evacuated from the runway. Later, all the professionals at NCAA and FAAN will carry out a detailed inspection again to ensure that all debris is cleaned up during final cleaning.
“Any moment from now, if there is any aircraft, we are ready to receive that aircraft, but of course, in aviation there are procedures because NOTAM has to be issued and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) will do that and then we are ready,” he said.
In response to the federal government plans of re-opening the airport, the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace Airline, Mr Chris Iwarah, thanked their customers for bearing with them during the six weeks repairs break at the airport.
“We are pleased to announce resumption of all our flights into and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with effect from April 19.
“The federal government shut the facility to air traffic on March 8 to enable a six-week repair of its runway and diverted all Abuja-bound flights to the Kaduna International Airport.
“We considered the decision of the federal government to shut down the airport for quick repairs of its runway in tandem with the high safety standards of our flight operations.
“At Air Peace, the safety of our esteemed guests is our first rule of business. We do not compromise on that for any reason.
“Although the decision to shut the facility to traffic came at a huge cost for us, nothing compares with safety.
“We are also aware that our numerous guests and the entire travelling public had to make a lot of sacrifices during the repair of the runway and wish to commend them for their understanding and cooperation,” he said.
“Our Abuja schedules are alive once again and we promise to give the best of air travel services as we resume our flight operations in the Federal Capital Territory,” he stated.
After the closure of the airport by the federal government on the 8th of March, 2017 for six weeks in other to enable the commencement of rehabilitation on the airport 3.5km runway in a bid to enable the airport to operate effectively, flights were diverted to the neighboring Kaduna International Airport.
In the words of the Director-General, “We have carried out the inspection and we have confirmed that the job has been done quite satisfactorily in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and recommended practices.
“So, the airport, the runway is very ready to accept flight operations safely.
“By this, we are declaring that the airport and its runway are quite operational at the time that has been determined as the official opening of this airport,” he declared.
Muktar said his agency has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to all aviators worldwide that the airport is ready for reopening on Wednesday as scheduled.
According to him, calibrations are done periodically and that the airport will also be calibrated along with others.
“It will be normal routine calibration which will be applicable to other airports that are due for recalibration,” he said.
It is against this background that, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma, had said that the runway was fully ready for reopening and confirmed that it had been completely cleaned up.
He explained that the runway was cleared “because we have our technical team working across the length and breadth of the runway to make sure that every detail is observed”.
“That is why all equipment has been evacuated from the runway. Later, all the professionals at NCAA and FAAN will carry out a detailed inspection again to ensure that all debris is cleaned up during final cleaning.
“Any moment from now, if there is any aircraft, we are ready to receive that aircraft, but of course, in aviation there are procedures because NOTAM has to be issued and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) will do that and then we are ready,” he said.
In response to the federal government plans of re-opening the airport, the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace Airline, Mr Chris Iwarah, thanked their customers for bearing with them during the six weeks repairs break at the airport.
“We are pleased to announce resumption of all our flights into and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with effect from April 19.
“The federal government shut the facility to air traffic on March 8 to enable a six-week repair of its runway and diverted all Abuja-bound flights to the Kaduna International Airport.
“We considered the decision of the federal government to shut down the airport for quick repairs of its runway in tandem with the high safety standards of our flight operations.
“At Air Peace, the safety of our esteemed guests is our first rule of business. We do not compromise on that for any reason.
“Although the decision to shut the facility to traffic came at a huge cost for us, nothing compares with safety.
“We are also aware that our numerous guests and the entire travelling public had to make a lot of sacrifices during the repair of the runway and wish to commend them for their understanding and cooperation,” he said.
“Our Abuja schedules are alive once again and we promise to give the best of air travel services as we resume our flight operations in the Federal Capital Territory,” he stated.
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport resumes operation after weeks of closure
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April 18, 2017
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Reviewed by Unknown
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April 18, 2017
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