The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has urged airline pilots to exercise caution on hazardous weather during the rainy season.
The warning was contained in an Advisory Circular (AC) with reference no AC: NCAA-AEROMET – 33 initiated by the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS).
The circular, addressed to pilots and airline operators, was signed by its Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu.
The AC is coming on the advent of the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) released for the year by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).
NIMET predicted Early/late March as the commencement of rainy season across the Southern states while April/May and June as onset of rainy season in Central and Northern parts.
Rainy season, at outset, the NCAA boss said, is characterised with severe thunderstorms and many other hazardous weather phenomena including severe turbulence, microburst, low level wind shear events that could affect the safety of flights.
Nuhu said: “Hence, the need for all stakeholders to perform their roles as stated below in order to ensure safety of flights.
“With the issuance of this circular, Advisory Circular (AC): NCAA – AEROMET 32 is accordingly cancelled.
“Therefore, enumerated below is the responsibility for Air Traffic Controllers in the interest of safety. Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) may temporarily close the airspace when hazardous weather conditions such as severe thunderstorm, squall lines microburst or level wind-shear are forecast by NIMET.”
The NCAA boss said: “Flight Crews/Operators and ATCs shall ensure strict adherence to aerodrome operating minima. Pilots shall exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed or forecast by NIMET. Pilots/Flight Crew Members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET Aerodrome Meterelogical Stations prior to flight operations.
“In view of the above, operators are required to play a key role in ensuring adequate measures are put in place to lessen the effects of the attendant flight delays and cancellations on their passengers occasioned by hazardous severe weather during rainy season in accordance with Nig. CARs, Part 19.
“While the Authority urges all passengers to exercise patience and understanding during this period as their safety is of utmost importance, stakeholders should ensure strict compliance to safety regulations as violations would be viewed seriously.”