NCAA cautions pilots, airline operators over adverse harmattan weather

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority , NCAA, has caution Pilots, Airline Operators and other airport users on severe dust haze and fog phenomenon currently prevalent in Nigerian airports as a result of the harmattan season.

According to the advisory, “the adverse weather condition expected occurrence is to subsist  from October in the far North; November over the North Central; and December over the Southern part of the country. In addition, early morning fog may also be experienced in the months ahead especially along the coastal areas in the South”. Director General, NCAA, Capt Musa Nuhu, who signed the advisory said with the issuance of the circular, ” the NCAA-AEROMET-29 of August 2020 is accordingly cancelled”.

Captain Nuhu also said ” This weather advisory circular is necessary to bring forth the evolving weather information to the attention of all stakeholders who need to perform their roles. Therefore, to ensure safe and efficient flight operations during this period, Pilots, Operators and Air Traffic Controllers Pilots are directed to observe series of responsibilities Flight Crews/Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) shall be conversant with each aerodrome weather minima and ensure strict adherence to the requirements. Air Traffic Controllers may temporarily close airspace when hazardous weather conditions such as heavy fog or severe dust haze reducing the visibility to below airport operating minimal are observed or forecasted by Nimet”.

“Pilots/Flight Crew Members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from Nimet Aerodrome Offices prior to flight operations; and Pilots shall exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed or forecast by Nimet and briefed passengers accordingly. Travelling public are however urged to exercise restraint and show understanding in this yuletide month as flights may be delayed or cancelled on account of weather situations. From the foregoing, the regulatory authority will expect strict compliance to this Advisory Circular as violation would be viewed seriously,” the NCAA DG said.