Chinedu Eze
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday reopened the 3.9-kilometre Runway 18R/36R at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos used mainly for international operations.
The first aircraft that landed on the runway yesterday afternoon was operated by Kenya Airways, followed by Delta Airlines to mark the reopening of the facility.
The runway was closed in April 2023 for an eight-week maintenance, which stretched into months because of the work needed to be done on the taxiways in addition to the main runway.
During the period it was shut down, airfield lighting cables were stolen on two occasions, which magnified the job to be done on the facility, as the stolen landing aid must have to be restored before the runway would be re-opened for service.
Also, during the closure, many international airlines had complained about the inconvenience of landing at the alternative runway, Runway 18L, known as the domestic runway, as they burn more fuel taxing from the international terminal to the runway.
With the heavy traffic, as all the airlines were using only one runway, they encountered delays while landing and taking off.
However, the international carriers would now heave a sigh of relief with the reopening of Runway 18R/36R as links 2 and 3 of the runway are now open, allowing international airlines to avoid using the domestic 18L/36R runway.
When Kenya Airways flight with registration number 5YCY touched down at 11:33hrs, it was welcomed with a water cannon salute marking the runway’s return to service.
The Kenya Airways pilot who flew the Boeing 738 aircraft, Captain Meme Kondwani, confirmed that the surface of the runway was smooth while all the facilities were now in better working condition.
During an on-the-spot inspection of operations at the Lagos international terminal about two weeks ago, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, had promised that the runway would be re-opened in a few weeks, stating it might happen sooner than anticipated.
She said FAAN and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) were collaborating to expedite the reopening process, as NAMA is in charge of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and other landing aids.
In preparation for the reopening, FAAN engaged with Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“We are working closely with the contractor with the support of the Minister and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, aiming for a swift reopening,” she reportedly said.
