FeaturedHighlight

Foreign Airlines Cancels Flights to Port Harcourt Airport Due To Runway Lights Failure

562

Several flights operated by foreign airlines at the Port Harcourt Airport were canceled last week because runway lights were not working and no generators to power the lights.

” At the moment the runway lights are not working at the airport, said an official of a foreign airline who spoke under the condition of anonymity.   “Such conditions could disrupt flight safety, he said on Tuesday.

The airline official explained that the lights started to dim over a month ago and they made reports to appropriate agency, but they were not fixed.

“it’s highly unusual” for the runway lights to go out, he said.

Meanwhile, Air France has changed its flight schedule due to the shameful situation at the airport. Air France flight 514 from Paris to Abuja, now flies directly to Port-Harcourt, disembark and board passengers before dropping off Abuja passengers.

Investigations by Per Second News revealed that FAAN told a foreign airline official that it is expecting a power generating set from Abuja to power the runway lights at the airport.

Air France last week Wednesday and Thursday had to put passengers in an hotel incurring several thousands of naira in cost of accommodation.

Passengers blamed FAAN and NCAA for the deplorable condition of the Port Harcourt runway, saying both agencies has failed to live up to their statutory responsibilities.

Lufthansa, German airlines also operates flights to the airport.

A passenger jet carrying over 80 passengers came within metres of plunging into the bush after it skidded off the runway as it landed at the Port Harcourt airport in Rivers State last month.

Panic spread through the Dana aircraft with number 9J0363, as it stopped at the edge of the bush – with its nose dangling precariously. Aviation experts said the accident was due in part to the dim runway lights at the airport.

FAAN has failed to develop a runway maintenance programme, said a commercial airport.

“Instrument Landing System” installed at modern airports can help flights landing safely under poor visibility condition, he said.

“However, in general in the final phase of the approach, pilots need visual reference from the runway to maneuver the airplane to touch down.  The runway visual range (RVR) is the range over which the pilot of an aircraft on the centre line of a runway can see the runway surface markings or the lights delineating the runway or identifying its centre line.

“The minimum RVR requirement for landing depends, amongst others, on the airport facilities, aircraft equipment, pilots’ training and airlines’ policy.  RVR is deduced from the visibility measurement of a transmissometer or a forward scatterer along the runway.

“If the visibility deteriorates just before the plane touches down, that would pose a great challenge to the pilot.  Flights would hold in the air and wait for the visibility to improve.  If low visibility condition persists or runway lights are out, a flight may have to divert to another airport due to fuel consideration, he concluded.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Nigeria’s Political System Under Scrutiny: APC’s Cole Wants Presidential Model Dumped 

Dr. Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2023...

TCN Begins Work on Collapsed Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Line Transmission Towers 

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it...

Ogun Hosts 22nd National Sports Festival as Delta’s Reign Faces Fierce Challenge

By Samuel Akpan live in Abeokuta With just few hours before the...

2025 Boy Child Day: Safe, Dignified World is Every Boy’s Right – Amnesty International Nigeria

“A world where every child’s dignity is cherished, their safety is guaranteed,...

Gateway Games: Lagos Logistics Team in Auto Crash En Route to Ogun – Exclusive

A logistics team comprised of Lagos State officials traveling on the Lagos-Abeokuta...

Finnish authorities charge Simon Ekpa with terrorism incitement

The legal proceedings against Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the banned...

Ighodalo vs. Okpebholo: Appeal Court Reserves Judgment in Edo Disputed Guber Poll

The fate of the Edo State governorship election now rests with the...

20MW Solar Power Deal: NDPHC, NASENI, Haier to Energize Kano Challawa Industrial Area

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has...

Illegal toll: Traditional ruler hauled up in court for villagers’ assault, harm

An Ondo State traditional chief, Ojo Olomolekulo, along with Isaac Oloyede and...

Barcelona Wins LaLiga Title for 28th Time After Thrilling 2-0 Victory Over Espanyol

By Samuel Akpan with additional agency report Barcelona secured their 28th LaLiga...

Cocaine trafficking: Court convicts 10 Thai sailors, vessel, slams $4.3m fine

In a significant victory against international drug trafficking, the National Drug Law...

NSF: Unity Torch Arrives in Ogun: Gov. Abiodun Vows Seamless Hosting of Games

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State welcomed the Torch of Unity to...

South Africa’s Amajita Stun Flying Eagles, Book Spot in AFCON U-20 Final

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria failed to reach the final of the...

NNPC Ltd. Explores Collaboration with Wood Mackenzie to Achieve Presidential Targets

NNPC Ltd.’s Group CEO, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, convened a meeting with Mr....

Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Drops to 23.71% in April 2025

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate has slightly decreased to 23.71 percent in April...

Insecurity: Senate urges Tinubu to sign forest security bill into law

As insecurity persists in parts of the country, the Senate has called...

Just In: VDM re-arraigned over cyberbullying charges, case adjourned until July 24

Martins Otse, a controversial social media influencer and self-acclaimed activist popularly known...

FG Must Stop Proposed Solar Panel Import Ban, Says Spaces for Change

A sudden halt to solar panel imports could jeopardize Nigeria’s expanding solar...

UTME Errors: NANS Demands Registrar’s Exit, Obi Hails JAMB’s Admission of Errors

 Following the admission by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Prof....

Senate confirms 5 INEC RECs

The Senate has confirmed the appointments of five Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs)...