Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Monday offered clarifications on why some flights were diverted out of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano and Kaduna International, Kaduna into Nnamdi Azikiwe International (NAIA), Abuja citing adverse weather conditions.
A source close to the airspace agency said the prevailing meteorological condition fell below the prescribed weather minima for the airports.
The source said flights had to be diverted in the airports because it was not safe to initiate any landing or take off of any flight when the weather is below the internationally prescribed minima.
A weather minima in aviation parlance is the conducive meteorological condition safe for flight operations in any aerodrome.
Many prominent Nigerians, including Vice President Yemi Osibanjo and Governors couldn’t fly to Kano on Monday to attend the 12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium.
“There was nothing unusual about flights into Kano Airport on Monday. The authorities gave instructions for flight diversion when the prevailing weather condition was below the standard approved for any flights at such airports.
“Not only Kano Airport was affected, flights into Kaduna Airport were also diverted on account of adverse weather.
“It is a natural phenomenon and global to aviation, that aircraft will have to take the safety decision to divert landing at any airport when the prevailing weather is below the minima.
“Pilots understand this very well and will take the safety decision to avoid any untoward development.”
