According to the Nigerian press, NAMA engineers laid 66 'Kalkit' emergency lights and 2 sets of approach lights so that runway 18L can finally be used after 5 years of day-only operations. Has anybody else heard of Kalkit lights? Are they meant to be permanent runway lighting or for temporary use in an emergency? Have night operations to runway 18L really recommenced?
The domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, came alive on Tuesday, as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) successfully deployed the emergency airfield lighting on its runway.
The equipment was deployed on the popular 2.7 km runway `18 Left’.
Mr Supo Atobatele, the General Manager (Public Affairs) of NAMA, announced this to Aviation Correspondents in Lagos.
He said that the deployment had put an end to more than five years of flight restrictions placed on daylight operations at the local wing of the airport.
``The absence of the airfield lighting on the runway for half a decade had forced the domestic airlines to land after sunset at the international wing of the airport,’’ he said.
Atobatele said that the development had compelled domestic aircraft at MMA to burn extra fuel to taxi down to their various terminals before disembarking their passengers.
``This looks like a Christmas gift to the airlines, travellers and Nigerians in general.
``It is made possible by the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring speedy clearance of passengers and their goods by the Customs at the domestic terminal of the MMA.
``It is also due to the foresight of the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, who ensured quality service delivery at the nation's airports,’’ he said.
``In all, 66 KALKIT brands of emergency airfield lights and additional two approach lights had been deployed by NAMA engineers,’’ he added.
KALKIT is the airfield lighting system that was certified by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA).
Atobatele said: ``This means that the product is of international standard and safe for deployment in any part of the world.’’
He quoted Mr Nnamdi Udoh, the Managing Director of NAMA, as commending the commitment of the engineers.
``They have defied all the family pressures at this Yuletide to deliver the immediate deployment of this vital navigational facility on the runway,’’ he added.