Furore over runway repairs at Lagos Airport

Confusion is building up in the air transport industry as the Federal Government is consolidating efforts to fix abandoned airside infrastructure in the strategic sector.

The move by the government to address gaps in deficit air navigation and airport facilities is, however, not going down well with the potential users of such equipment.

Indigenous operators under the aegis of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have kicked over the modalities for the 90-day closure of the Runway 18 Left of the Lagos Airport, accusing the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) of not carrying its members along on the procedure of operations before it shut the facility on July 8, this year.

Before repairs of the runway commenced last week, the facility had been abandoned for 14 years for reasons bordering on approval and procurement challenges by the supervising Federal Ministry of Aviation.

The runway was last renovated in 2008, but the airfield lighting component was not incorporated. But the contractors rolled out their equipment last week to carry out major repairs in the facility, which when completed, would reduce cost of operations for local carriers.

FAAN’s Managing Director, Captain Rabiu Yadudu, attributed the delay to approval processes.Worried over the runway closure, AON in a letter to FAAN berated the authority for closing the runway of the Lagos Airport without considering the huge cost implications on affected airlines.

The AON alleged that since the runway was shut, works on the installation of air field lightning had not commenced.

Accusing FAAN of being insensitive to their plight, AON called for a review of the closure and engagement with affected operators on the procedure that would reduce the cost impact on local carriers.

The operators said the closure adds between 10 and 15 per cent  to the cost of fuel per sector into and out of the Lagos Airport.This burden is unsustainable for a three-month period for airlines.

The letter reads: ”The runway has been closed for one week now, with no evidence of any work going on.”

FAAN, has, however, clarified the scope of work on Runway 18 Left of the Lagos Airport.

The authority said it has commenced work on the project with mobilisation of equipment since July 8.