“Unserviceable Runway Lights Force Diversion of Two Kano-Bound Aircraft to Lagos, Night Operations Resume After Prompt Restoration Efforts”

In a recent incident, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) took swift action to divert two flights bound for Kano to Lagos. The reason behind this unexpected change was the unserviceable runway lighting at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano, which posed a serious safety concern.

According to Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection at FAAN, the issue arose on July 15, 2023, at approximately 1600hrs, when the airfield maintenance team noticed that the Runway 06/24 edge light failed to illuminate after their scheduled daily maintenance work. The team, diligently following standard procedures, embarked on a fault-finding mission along the cable route in an attempt to identify and rectify the problem, aiming to restore power to the airfield lighting circuit.

However, to their dismay, the entire runway circuit was affected, resulting in the failure of the edge lights on Runway 06/24, the Taxiway Alpha edge light, Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), and signage. This unfortunate situation left the runway in complete darkness, rendering night operations impossible and posing significant risks to incoming and outgoing flights.

As the hours passed, FAAN’s Operations department continued their tireless efforts to resolve the issue promptly. By 2300hrs, despite their best endeavors, power supply to the runway remained elusive. Consequently, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued, officially closing Runway 06/24 from 2300hrs on July 15th until 07:00hrs on July 16th, 2023.

The diversion of the two Kano-bound aircraft to Lagos undoubtedly caused inconvenience to passengers and airlines alike, for which FAAN expressed sincere regret. Their priority, however, was to ensure the safety of all flights and passengers, making the diversion an unavoidable measure.

Thankfully, diligent repair efforts bore fruit. On Sunday, July 16th, 2023, FAAN’s dedicated team successfully installed new cables, leading to the complete restoration of all runway lights before the resumption of night operations.

FAAN, having swiftly addressed the issue, emphasizes its commitment to ensuring the utmost safety and efficiency in air travel operations. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical role of diligent maintenance and prompt response in the aviation industry. With the runway lighting fully functional once more, flights to Kano can now operate with confidence, and night operations have resumed without further disruption.