The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the reopening of Runway 18L/36R at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, following its temporary closure due to a Dana Air plane skidding off the runway on Tuesday. The reopening was disclosed in a press release signed by FAAN's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, on Wednesday.
In the statement, FAAN stated, "The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is pleased to notify the public and all stakeholders that Runway 18L/36R was reopened for flight operations at 19:58hrs. This development follows the earlier closure of the runway this morning due to an incident involving a Dana Air aircraft, with registration number 5N-BKI, which overshot the runway during its landing sequence."
Prompt actions were taken by FAAN's emergency response team to evacuate and recover the aircraft from the site. Subsequently, comprehensive clearing operations were conducted to ensure the runway was free of any Foreign Object Debris that could impede flight safety.
FAAN Operations Division and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency jointly inspected the runway surface and deemed it safe for the resumption of operations. The affected area was significantly muddy, requiring 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," Orah added.
FAAN apologized 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." The statement also expressed gratitude to the travelling public, airline partners, and all stakeholders for their patience, understanding, and cooperation during the temporary closure.
