The domestic runway (18L/36R) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos was reopened on Thursday for flight services, four months after it was closed down by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.
The runway was earlier closed to enable the installation of navigational facilities.
A Notice-To-Airmen from the Aeronautical Information Services of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, indicated that the runway lighting has been installed and used by airlines for their first flights out of Lagos today, November 11, with Air Peace been the first.
The NOTAM stated that FAAN completed the runway lighting sometime last week. But the reopening was delayed to ensure that the facility passed a reliability test.
In July 7, 2022, FAAN shut down the 2.7 kilometres long runway 18L/36R for repair with a promise to reopen it within 90 days. But it took the agency over 120 days to reopen the facility for use.
FAAN had planned to install approach lights, runway lights (threshold and centre, edge light) and others on the runway, which until the closure could only operate sunrise services.
However, after the installation of the new aids, the runway would operate both sunrise and sunset flights, which would further ease the burden of operators.
