Airfield Lights Installed, Domestic Runway 18L/36R At MMIA Reopened For 24-hrs Flight Operations

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) reopens domestic runway 18L/36R at MMIA for 24 hours flight operations.

It follows the completion of installation of CAT Ill Airfield Ground Lighting Systems at the domestic wing.

Before, airlines had to burn fuel while taxing to the domestic runway from the international runway.

Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) put the huge resources lost to fuel taxing to over N3 billion annually.

The Federal Government has reopened the domestic runway 18L/36R at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for 24 hours flight operations, following the completion of installation of CAT Ill Airfield Ground Lighting Systems on 11th November 2022.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had on July 7, 2022 shut down the 2.7 kilometres (2,700m) long runway for 90 days to install approach lights and Runway Lights in a bid to return it to full 24/7 operations and ease the burden of airlines.

FAAN, in a statement said the upgrade is part of efforts aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of flight operations as well as easing the burden of airlines operating at the Murtala Mohammed international Airport in Lagos.

“Today, November 11, an Air Peace flight NO P4 742 enroute Lagos- Kano with registration number 5N-BUJ was the first to depart the runway at 0618HRS.”

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“The runway was shut more than three months ago to give room for installation of lights, which was excluded from the main project in 2008 when it was commissioned.

“The absence of lights on the runway which had put untold burden on airlines over the years as they burn fuel while taxing to the domestic runway from the international runway.”

“FAAN had in July announced that as part of efforts aimed at improving safety and efficiency of flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, it will close the runway for 90 days to complete the installation of CAT III Airfield Ground Lighting system on Runway 18L/36R. The project commenced on July 7, 2022,” the statement said.

Before the installation of lights at the 18L/36R, airlines were forced to land at the international runway after 6p.m. everyday, before taxing another 15 minutes to the domestic wing. Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) put the huge resources lost to fuel taxing to over N3 billion annually.

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