The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has cautioned airline owners, pilots and Air Traffic Controllers ATCs over severe thunderstorms and other hazardous weather that could hamper flight operations following the onset of the raining season.
The warning is coming on the heels of the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for the year 2021.
NIMET has predicted early/late March as the commencement of rainy season in the Southern states while late April/June 2021 is the commencement of rainy season in Central and Northern parts of Nigeria.
Director General of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu the warning is a follow up to the Advisory Circular (AC) with reference no AC: NCAA-AEROMET – 31 addressed to all Pilots and Airline Operators.
He said the “weather advisory circular is necessary to bring forth the evolving weather information associated with commencement of rainy season and the effects on safety and efficiency of flight operations; and to elicit cooperation of the following stakeholders to ensure safety air transport at all times.”
In the event of any eventuality, the NCAA directs pilots, operators and Air Traffic Controllers to observe series of responsibilities that will prevent any ontowards incident.
The directive mandates ATCs to temporarily close the airspace if weather conditions permits while flight crews and operators are to ensure adherence to published aerodrome weather minima.
