The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has re-opened runway 18L/36R of the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
The runway was rehabilitated and resurfaced in 2008 and was commissioned without Airfield Lighting (AFL), restricting airline operators to daylight operations only.
However, to install approach lights, runway lights, threshold and Centre, edge light, in other to return to full 24/7 operations, FAAN, shutdown the 2.7 kilometers runway on July 7th, 2022, for 90 days.
The approach lighting will also ease the burden of operators as Aviation fuel hiterto being burnt on taxing at night will be reserved.
However, according to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) A0441/22 NOTAMC, emanating from the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), operation has resumed for operations from November 11, 2022.
It was gathered that the runway lighting was completed last week and the re-opening was delayed to ensure that full reliability tests are conducted and passed.
Already, stakeholders have expressed their delight at this new development and eagerly await the benefits of the runway once it is reopened.
However, a source disclosed to our Correspondent, “With the runways return to service, the unnecessary 10-20 minutes fuel burnt each time local airlines land on the international runway at night and taxiing to the domestic terminal that cumulated to billions will end and airlines can equally schedule flights to the airport to maximise aircraft usage, a source said.
