Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned of occurrence of moderate to severe outbreaks of dust in the country during this harmattan period which could happen up to March 2016.
Severe outbreaks of dusts can reduce atmospheric visibility significantly and thus impact negatively on flight operations.
Based on the warning Capt.Muhtar Usman, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) through a circular issued to all Airline Operators and Pilots to obtain weather information from NIMET prior to flight operations and also to comply with departure, en route and destination informations.
The NCAA also urged Airlines to exercise maximum restraint when adverse weather is observed or forecasted by NIMET and ensure that flight operations are scheduled with adequate weather information from NIMET to minimise delay or cancellation of flight operations.
“All concerned are required to always strictly comply with laid down Regulations” the circular warned.