The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned pilots and airline operators over hazardous weather during the rainy season.

The Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, gave the warning via an advisory circular addressed to all pilots and airline operators on Tuesday.

The circular with reference no AC: NCAA-AEROMET – 33 was initiated by the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS).

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had predicted early/late March as the commencement of rainy season across the Southern states, and April/May and June 2022 as the onset of rainy season in Central and Northern parts of the country.

Nuhu said the circular was coming on the advent of the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) released for the year 2022 by NIMET.

He noted that the rainy season, at outset, was usually characterised with severe thunderstorms and many other hazardous weather phenomena.

He added that the hazardous weather was severe turbulence, microburst, and low-level wind shear events that could affect the safety of flight operations, noting that there was need for all stakeholders to perform their roles in order to ensure the safety of flight operations.

Nuhu said with the issuance of the circular, Advisory Circular (AC): NCAA – AEROMET 32 was accordingly cancelled.

The NCAA boss stated: “Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) may temporarily close the airspace when hazardous weather conditions such as severe thunderstorm, squall lines microburst or level wind-shear are forecast by NIMET.

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“On the other hand, enumerated below are series of responsibilities for Pilots and Flight Crew/Operators: Flight Crews/Operators and ATCs shall ensure strict adherence to aerodrome operating minima.

“Pilots shall exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed or forecast by NIMET.

“Pilots /Flight Crew Members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET Aerodrome Meteorological Stations prior to flight operations.”

Nuhu said in view of the above, operators were required to play a key role in ensuring adequate measures were put in place.

He said the move was to lessen the effects of the attendant flight delays and cancellations on their passengers occasioned by hazardous severe weather during rainy season in accordance with Nig. CARs, Part 19.

The NCAA DG, therefore, urged all passengers to exercise patience and understanding during this period, saying their safety was of utmost importance.

The Star