This warning is a follow up to the Advisory Circular (AC)
with reference no AC: NCAA-AEROMET – 31 addressed to all Pilots and Airline
Operators and signed by the Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu.
This is coming on the advent of the Seasonal Climate
Prediction (SCP) released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for the
year 2021.
NIMET has predicted early/late March as the commencement of
rainy season in the Southern states while late April/June 2021 is the
commencement of rainy season in Central and Northern parts of Nigeria.
Consequently, this weather advisory circular is necessary to
bring forth the evolving weather information associated with commencement of
rainy season and the effects on safety and efficiency of flight operations; and
to elicit cooperation of the following
stakeholders to ensure safety air transport at all times.
Therefore, Pilots, Operators and Air Traffic Controllers
Pilots are directed to observe series of responsibilities enumerated below
forthwith:
- Air Traffic Controllers may temporarily close the airspace when any of the conditions in (1) are observed or forecast by NIMET;
- Flight Crews/Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to ensure adherence to published aerodrome weather minima;
- Pilots to exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed or forecast by NIMET; and
- Pilots/Flight Crew members to obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET Aerodrome Meteorological Offices prior to flight operations.
While the Authority enjoins all passengers to exercise
patience and understanding during this period of heavy downpour, strict
compliance to this warning is expected from all stakeholders as maximum
sanction shall be imposed for non-compliance.