The British Airways’ (BA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria have given their accounts over the flight diversion of the former (carrier from Lagos, to Acrra, Ghana.
Why British Airways diverted plane? The Lagos bound flight was diverted to Kotoko International Airport in Accra. According to BA, the decision was prompted by a temporary closure of the runway at Lagos airport.
“We apologised to our customers for the overnight delay to their travel plans after a diversion, caused by a temporary closure of the runway at Lagos airport.
“We looked after our customers and provided them with accommodation and refreshments until their flight departed the next day. The safety and welfare of our customers and crew is always our priority,” BA said.
FAAN denies BA’s claim? The excuse given by British Airways was countered by FAAN. The aviation authority insisted that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport wasn’t closed at any time, as other planes landed as scheduled.
It was also reported that British Airways failed to follow protocol for such diversion.
General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu, said that before taking such action, airline companies are issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).
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But British Airways reportedly didn’t follow the standard practice as FAAN didn’t issue NOTAM to any airways.
“Apart from the Port Harcourt International Airport, which was recently closed briefly due to an incident, no other airport has been closed.
“There is no way we can just close the runway of an airport without notice to anyone.”
Weather wasn’t a problem either: It was reported that the prevailing weather conditions in Lagos of 1,500 metres was within the approved minimum state weather conditions for Performance-Based Navigation approach and landing on Runway 18 Right as well as Instrument Landing System approach and landing on Runway 18 Left at 400 metres, this is according to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
NAMA said the British Airways landing requirement was higher than the requirement, so such diversion shouldn’t have been taken, as a requirement for approach and landing on runway 18 Right using PBN is 1800m as against the prevailing visibility of 1500m.
“It should also be noted that the BA, despite the diversion, has been operating into Lagos daily using the ILS CATII on Runway 18 Left with the same prevailing weather conditions. Therefore, these diversions are avoidable based on existing facilities,” NAMA said.
The grey area: So why did British Airways divert its Lagos-bound plane if other planes like Emirates, Delta, KLM, and Lufthansa landed on the same runway under the same weather condition? That question is what aviation experts are asking, as they demand to know the truth. Nairametrics would not also relent until it gets to the root of the reason behind the diversion.
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Your article is ill informed and is perhaps making a mountain out of a mole hill.
Weather is only one reason why aircraft divert.
Perhaps the aircraft diverted because the commander decided that for whatever reason landing in Lagos was not the safest option.
This could have occurred for a number of reasons such as aircraft unserviceability, ie. Regardless of what BA aircraft are usually able to achieve, perhaps on the day this aircraft was unable to land to the same limits.
The line “There is no way we can just close the runway of an airport without notice to anyone.” is factually incorrect. Any airport can close its runway at any time for any number of reasons.
For example; If the runway was temporarily blocked or a defect is discovered during a routine runway inspection. The list of reasons for unexpected closures is not exhaustive.
For an unexpected closure the issuance of a a NOTAM would not have been a required protocol for a diversion.
The protocol for a diversion for the flight crew are; 1.consider options, based on weather, fuel endurance and suitable airports.
2.if time permits advise company of decision
3.advise air traffic of intentions and request a routing to the desired airfield.
There is NO requirement to ask anyone’s permission and should anyone object, they may lodge that objection but not interfere with the decision of the aircraft commander.
“NAMA said the British Airways landing requirement was higher than the requirement, so such diversion shouldn’t have been taken, as requirement for approach and landing on runway 18 Right using PBN is 1800m as against the prevailing visibility of 1500m.”
This is nonsense. If 1800m visibility is required for
Runway 18 and the prevailing visibility was only 1500m, this is 300m less than was required. So no, they couldn’t land if these had been the conditions on the day.
As for THE GREY AREA, the people asking this question are not aviation experts. Aviation experts will discount your article as alot of uninformed noise about nothing, on a quiet news day.
Be rest assured that the regulatory Authority NCAA and by extension the Hon. Minister of Aviation will get to the root of this incident, and react as appropriate. While economic regulation is one of the focal point of the current Aviation Minister, He never compromise on matters of national integrity and Nigeria consumer satisfaction
Be rest assured that the regulatory Authority NCAA and by extension the Hon. Minister of Aviation will get to the root of this incident, and react as appropriate. While economic regulation is one of the focal point of the current Aviation Minister, He never compromise on matters of national integrity and Nigeria consumer satisfaction
I’m very much of the view of Mr Stephens, the author has produced a speculative and sensationalist piece. If it is requirement is 1800m, and the visibility is 1500m, you will not be landing, no argument about it.
Maybe someone at MMIA should fix the taxiways on the other side of the airfield so that biggest and heaviest plane that visits can actually use them. If they are all closed or are too weak to support the weight then it doesn’t matter if the instrument landing system on the east runway works, the plane can’t move anywhere after it lands. Just what would happen if it got stuck? No wonder Emirates can’t use the A380 to get in here, we are lucky a jumbo comes here at all. Alternatively maybe the best solution is to get the landing system fixed on the main runway for a start.