Nigeria: Respite for airline operators as FAAN reopens runway 18R/36L after 10 months closure
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reopened Runway 18R/36L at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport after nearly a year of closure.
Initially shut down in April 2023 for an eight-week maintenance period, the runway faced unforeseen delays, extending its closure duration.
Nigerian FLIGHTDECK reported that the prolonged closure was exacerbated by the theft of crucial landing aids, including airfield lighting, further hampering efforts to reopen the runway promptly.
Measuring 3,900 meters (12,794 feet) in length and 60 meters (197 feet) in width, Runway 18R/36L is a vital component of the airport’s infrastructure.
The closure significantly disrupted traffic flow and airline schedules, surpassing the initially projected timeline.
However, with the reopening of Links 2 & 3 of the runway, international airlines can now bypass the domestic 18L/36R runway, easing congestion.
The first flight to utilise the newly reopened runway was Kenya Airways, greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute upon landing, symbolising the runway’s return to service.
Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of FAAN, had previously hinted at the imminent reopening in January, expressing optimism that it would occur sooner than expected.
Efforts to expedite the reopening process have been coordinated by the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), with FAAN engaging with Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in preparation for the resumption of operations.
