It was a historical yesterday when the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced the completion and use of the Runway 18L/36R, known as domestic runway.
Since 2008 when the runway was rehabilitated and was supposed to be accompanied with runway light, the facility was not installed until 14 years after.
Airlines had lost huge resources on fuel taxing 15 minutes from the international runway, 18R after 6:00 pm everyday, amount Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) put at over N3 billion annually.
FAAN in a statement said it has reopened the runway 18L to traffic after installing airfield lights.
“Today, November 11, an Air Peace flight NO P4 742 enroute Lagos- Kano with registration number 5N-BUJ was the first to depart the runway at 0618HRS.
“The runway was shut more than three months ago to give room for installation of lights, which was excluded from the main project in 2008 when it was commissioned.
“The absence of lights on the runway which had put untold burden on airlines over the years as they burn fuel while taxing to the domestic runway from the international runway,” the statement said.
FAAN also said that according to a Notice to Airmen ( NOTAM) A0441/22 NOTAMC A0439/22 Q emanating from the Aeronautical Information Services ( AIS) , the runway was opened today (Friday) after the Authority completed the installation.
“FAAN had in July announced that as part of efforts aimed at improving safety and efficiency of flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, it will close the runway for 90 days to complete the installation of CAT III Airfield Ground Lighting system on Runway 18L/36R. The project commenced on July 7, 2022,” the statement also said.
