There is no end in sight to the operational hiccups faced by foreign airlines over the seemingly unending closure of the international runway of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos better known as runway 18R/36L.
The date for the reopening remains uncertain as of yesterday over 10 months after the closure of the runway, Daily Trust can report.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the reopening of the runway was stalled following the change of guard in the aviation industry affecting the leadership of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
It was learnt that the former Managing Director of the authority, Mall. Kabir Yusuf planned to reopen the runway the following week before his sack.
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However, the new management is said to be putting finishing touches to the runway amidst massive losses of revenues and inconveniences to airlines who have been using the 18L/36R meant for domestic operations for the past 10 months.
Our correspondent learnt that foreign airlines using wide-bodied aircraft continue to leave several seats empty to balance the weight of the aircraft because the active runway, covering 2,900 metres is shorter, compared to the shut runway, which has a length of 3,900 metres, the longest in the country.
It would be recalled that FAAN had closed the runway 18R/36L on March 11th 2023 for a period of eight weeks to carry out maintenance works on the runway while both international and local flights were diverted to Runway 18L/36R, which is meant to serve only the domestic flights.
However, the runway could not be reopened afterwards following the theft of the Airfield Lighting (AFL). Though some officials were suspended over the incident, the culprits are yet to be identified.
But as of yesterday, foreign airline sources said there is no update yet on the reopening of the runway while they continue to lose revenue for reducing the number of passengers.
In addition, FAAN and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are also losing revenue in terms of passenger service charge (PSC); and Ticket Sale Charge/Cargo Sale Charge (TSC/CSC) respectively.
A source however told our correspondent yesterday that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo has given a marching order to the new management of FAAN to fast-track reopening of the runway.
“The 18R is not abandoned. By the grace of God, we are working on it. The minister has given the directive and the new Director of Engineering Services, Engr. Muniru Adejare Abiola is working on it in line with the directive of the minister,” the source said.
When contacted yesterday, the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Communications, Mr. Tunde Moshood said the authority is working on it but not categorical about when it would reopen.
