Flight cancellations are looming across Nigeria as the country’s inadequate Instrument Landing Systems and lack of CAT III certification leave airports unable to safely operate in low visibility.
Nigeria’s aviation sector faces a looming crisis as the harmattan season approaches, with stakeholders warning that the country’s poor Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) could trigger widespread flight delays and cancellations at many airports.
Of Nigeria’s more than 26 airports, only a few have functioning ILS systems; many lack essential runway lights and navigation instruments necessary for low-visibility operations, especially at state-operated airports.
Chris Najomo, director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), disclosed that not a single Nigerian airport is certified for Category III (CAT III) operations, meaning all landings must be performed manually by pilots.
John Ojikutu, CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, observed, “This is imperative in order to ensure optimum safety, reliability, and integrity of the system. … The tolerance level of the Flight Management System is almost non-existent …”
Aero Contractors’ MD, Ado Sanusi, stressed the dual challenge of expensive maintenance and pilot training, noting, “The problem is that it is extremely expensive to maintain it … The ripple effects would include flight safety being highly compromised, flight delays and diversions, and financial implications from diversions.”
With the risk of stranded passengers, disrupted schedules, and lost revenues, industry insiders are urging urgent investment in upgraded landing systems and infrastructure upgrades before the harmattan season fully sets in.