The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA has granted the air traffic controllers the authority to temporarily close the airspace whenever hazardous atmospheric conditions are forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).
This was disclosed in a weather advisory circular issued by the NCAA Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Musa Nuhu.
In statistics released by the NIMET, it was recorded that most of the airports had recorded several numbers of thunderstorms that occur between March and July.
In July, NIMET recorded several numbers of thunderstorm occurrences in the country – Abuja (23), Ikeja (8), Kano (24), Port Harcourt (11), Owerri (17) and Benin (11).
NCAA in it way to ensure safety of flight operation during rainy seasons and adverse weather condition has granted the Air Traffic Controller the authority to temporarily close airspace when hazardous weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms, squall lines, microburst or low-level wind-shear are observed or forecast by NIMET and also urged the stakeholders to discharge their duties.
The circular read in part, “By this circular: Air Traffic controllers may temporarily close airspace when hazardous weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms, squall lines, microburst or low-level wind-shear are observed or forecast by NIMET.
“Flight crews/operators and air traffic controllers shall ensure adherence to aerodrome weather minima; pilots shall exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed or forecast by NIMET.”
It added that pilot and flight crew members should ensure that they get departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET aerodrome meteorological offices before they operate.