The Senate has raised concerns over the safety risks posed by the prolonged holding of commercial aircraft in Nigerian airspace to accommodate movements by Very Important Persons (VIPs) and other security-related operations.
The red chamber warned that keeping passenger aircraft airborne for extended periods while landing operations are suspended could expose passengers and crew members to avoidable aviation risks, particularly fuel-related emergencies.
The concerns followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Isah Jibrin (APC-Kogi East), who drew attention to instances where commercial aircraft scheduled to land at Nigerian airports were reportedly forced to remain in holding patterns for lengthy periods, in some cases exceeding one hour, to accommodate VIP movements.
Read also: Senate gives Kano, Abia, four others, November 15 deadline to approve State Police bill
Presenting the motion under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, Jibrin said the practice raised serious questions about the coordination of aviation operations and the management of foreseeable airport restrictions.
The Senate noted that commercial aviation operated on carefully coordinated schedules covering aircraft departures and arrivals, fuel planning, crew duty-time limitations, passenger connections, airport operations and air traffic management.
It observed that commercial aircraft scheduled to land at some local airports were sometimes compelled to remain airborne because landing operations had been temporarily suspended to accommodate VIPs or other security-related movements.
The motion specifically noted that such aircraft were sometimes kept in holding patterns for extended periods, “in some cases reportedly for over an hour”.
The lawmakers also expressed concern that international flights scheduled to land at Nigerian airports sometimes diverted to alternative airports within the country when access to their intended destinations was temporarily restricted because of VIP movements.
While acknowledging the legitimacy of security arrangements surrounding VIPs and other protected persons, the Senate insisted that such operations must not compromise aviation safety.
“Such requirements should be managed in such a way as not to place commercial aircraft at avoidable aviation safety risks,” the Senate said.
It warned that prolonged holding patterns could result in significant fuel consumption and reduce the operational fuel reserves available to aircraft, particularly when delays extended beyond the period anticipated by pilots and airlines.
Read also: Senate prescribe jail term, fine to check hospital treatment delays
The lawmakers further identified deteriorating weather conditions, air traffic congestion, reduced flexibility for diversions, crew duty-time restrictions and possible fuel-related emergencies as additional risks associated with keeping aircraft airborne for extended periods.
The Senate was particularly worried about situations where several aircraft were simultaneously awaiting land clearance, noting that such circumstances could further complicate air traffic management and increase operational risks.
The motion also questioned the decision to allow aircraft to depart their originating airports when aviation authorities were already aware, or ought to have been aware, that landing operations at their destinations would be temporarily restricted.
It argued that information about foreseeable restrictions should inform decisions on departure clearance, flight sequencing and the management of arriving aircraft.
“Permitting aircraft to depart their origin airports without coordination may unnecessarily transfer the burden of managing that restriction to aircraft already airborne,” the Senate said.
The lawmakers maintained that where restrictions were foreseeable, aviation authorities should prioritise ground delays and revised departure schedules instead of keeping aircraft in the air.
The Senate described it as safer and more operationally sensible to manage such situations through “ground delays, revised departure slots, and departure sequencing rather than simply have aircraft take off and then keep them airborne and await the resumption of landing operations.”
It acknowledged the complementary responsibilities of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), airlines and relevant security agencies in ensuring aviation safety, air traffic management, airport operations and the security of protected persons and facilities.
Read also: Senate rewards Flamingos with N100m after historic World Cup triumph
Consequently, the Senate urged the NCAA, NAMA and FAAN to enforce operational procedures requiring advance coordination and prompt notification of planned airspace restrictions to airlines.
It specifically called on the agencies to ensure that where restrictions were foreseeable, aircraft movements were managed at their points of origin rather than allowing flights to take off.
The chamber also mandated its Committee on Aviation to interface with the three aviation agencies to ensure strict adherence to the proposed operational procedures and report back to the Senate within two weeks.
Related News
Source: