The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says pilots and airline operators must exercise caution over hazardous weather in the dry season.
The advisory was contained in a circular initiated by the directorate of aerodrome and airspace standards (DAAS), signed by Musa Nuhu, NCAA director-general, and dated December 19, 2022.
In the circular, Nuhu explained that the advisory circular was a sequel to the seasonal climate prediction (SCP) issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) which reported that there would be a cessation of rainfall and weather associated with the dry season in Nigeria from late December 2022 to March/April 2023.
Nuhu said air-to-ground visibility reduction due to haze, dust or fog.
“Aerodrome visibility may fall below the prescribed operating minimal and in severe conditions, dust haze can blot out runways, markers and airfield lightings over wide areas making visual navigation extremely difficult or impossible,” he said.
“Flights are bound to be delayed, diverted or cancelled where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed aerodrome operating minimal.
“Pilots/flight crew members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET Aerodrome Meteorological Offices and Stations prior to flight operations and exercise maximum restraint whenever an adverse weather is observed.”
