Late amendments to issued NOTAM destabilizes travel to Murtala Muhammed Airport

A late amendment to an already issued Notice to Airmen ( NOTAM) on the closure and rehabilitation of Runway 18R/36L may have just destabilized flight coming into the Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed Airport and may have to be diverted because of the mix-up of the closure.

The NOTAM was amended after re-issuance by three hours and operators feel a new NOTAM should have been reissued entirely giving a 24 hour period instead of amending it on the day it takes effect

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in a letter dated May 24, 2022 to the station manager at the MMIA titled: Rehabilitation of Runway 18R/36L signed by Dr. Al-ihekwaba N.E for; Airport Manager/Regional General Manager (SW) said the runway will be closed on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) of
28th-29th May, 2022 and 4th-5th June, 2022 from 0600hours-1300hours-UTC to repair a bad patch

The letter read,”As a result of the deplorable condition of Runway 18R/36L pavement, I wish to inform you that FAAN civil department will commence an emergency remedial work on the failed distressed pavement.

“Rehabilitation work will only be on the following weekends [Saturdays & Sundays] as follows: 28th-29th May, 2022,
4th-5th June, 2022 Time: 0600hours-1300hours-UTC Daily.

“Runway 18R/36L will be closed during the period of this work and Runways 18L/36R will be used for arrivals and departures.
FAAN Management sincerely apologies for the inconveniences

However, it would seem that NOTAM was released to Airmen on the day of the closure 28th May 2022 has different times for the closure thereby causing untold hardship and bundling the system.

The NOTAM issued was amended by three hours making it from 1230-1730 on May 28, the day the NOTAM took effect while Sunday the 29th, it was also adjusted too, taking effect from 0600-1730 negating the first NOTAM issued on the 24th.

A stakeholder who spoke to NigerianFLIGHTDECK under conditions of anonymity decried the lack of managerial tact stressing that it was wrong.

” You cannot just do that. You issued the first one on the 24th against 28th so the whole world knows, you are supposed to see the NOTAM through because some people might not see it on time. In fact this is indicting, issuing the second NOTAM and amending it by three hours is indicting already, the stakeholder raised.