Dana Air incident: FAAN reopens MMIA runway

Aftermath of Dana airlines overshooting the runway during its landing sequence at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday morning, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it has reopened the runway 18L/36R for flight operations.

FAAN notified the public and all stakeholders that at about 8 p.m on Tuesday that the runway has been reopened, according to a statement signed by Mrs Obiageli Orah, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the agency.

Orah said the development followed the earlier closure of the runway on Tuesday morning due to an incident involving a Dana Air aircraft with registration no. 5N-BKI, which overshot the runway.

She said prompt actions were taken by FAAN’s emergency response team to evacuate and recover the aircraft from the site.

Subsequently, comprehensive clearing operations were conducted to ensure the runway was free of any Foreign Object Debris (FOD) that could impede flight safety.

FAAN Operations Division and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have jointly conducted a thorough inspection of the runway surface and deemed it safe for the resumption of operations, she said.

“Also, an appropriate Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued in this regard. We acknowledge the area affected by the overshoot was significantly muddy.

“A concerted effort was made for the thorough and efficient cleaning of the area to facilitate the swift resumption of operations on Runway 18L/36R.

“FAAN wishes to express its gratitude to the traveling public, our airline partners, and all stakeholders for their patience, understanding, and cooperation during the temporary closure.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this incident may have caused. Ensuring the safety and security of our passengers, staff, and airport operations remains our top priority.

“FAAN is committed to providing a safe, secure, and efficient air transport environment for all users of our airports. The authority appreciated everyone for their continued support and understanding,” Orah also said.