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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) has announced that Runway 18L/36R at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos has been reopened after being temporarily closed due to a Dana Air plane skidding off the runway on Tuesday.
This information was shared in a press release signed by FAAN's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the runway was reopened for flight operations at 19:58hrs following prompt actions taken to evacuate and recover the aircraft and conduct comprehensive clearing operations to ensure flight safety.
The FAAN Operations Division and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency have jointly inspected the runway surface and confirmed its safety for the resumption of operations.
FAAN acknowledged that the area affected by the overshoot was significantly muddy, necessitating extensive cleaning efforts to restore safety.
“A concerted effort was made for the thorough and efficient cleaning of the area to facilitate the swift resumption of operations on Runway 18L/36R,” she said.
Orah apologised for any inconvenience caused, stating, “Ensuring the safety and security of our passengers, staff, and airport operations remains our top priority.
“FAAN is committed to providing a safe, secure, and efficient air transport environment for all users of our airports.
“FAAN wishes to express its gratitude to the travelling public, our airline partners, and all stakeholders for their patience, understanding, and cooperation during the temporary closure. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this incident may have caused,” the statement read.
