NAMA Confirms Airspace Safety Despite Harmattan Haze and Low Visibility

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has officially reassured air travelers. The agency confirms that Nigeria’s airspace remains safe. All airport landing facilities are fully operational. This confirmation addresses public concerns about reduced visibility flight operations.

Seasonal harmattan haze typically affects Nigeria from December through February. This weather phenomenon often reduces visibility significantly. NAMA specifically dismissed claims that navigational aids are poorly maintained. Such claims were described as misleading and lacking technical facts.

Adherence to Global Safety Standards

NAMA emphasized its strict compliance with global standards. All navigational aids (NAVAIDs) are routinely maintained and calibrated. This process follows International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). It also meets the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig CARs).

Maintenance and calibration are mandatory safety requirements. These procedures are not optional or discretionary. They are conducted using NAMA’s dedicated flight inspection aircraft. Highly trained technical and flight inspection personnel operate this equipment.

Key systems undergo periodic verification. These include Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR). Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) is also checked. All Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) facilities are verified. This ensures signal integrity and operational reliability. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) provides continuous regulatory oversight. The NCAA audits compliance and validates calibration cycles. This ensures safety standards are consistently upheld. The operational status of NAVAIDs is published. This information is found in Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) Supplements.

Navigational Aid Serviceability and Calibration

NAMA cited AIP Supplement S81/2025, dated October 9, 2025. This document details the calibration status nationwide. At that time, only a few ILS facilities were approaching due calibration. These included Maiduguri, Ilorin, Owerri, Zaria, Minna, and Calabar.

In a proactive move, NAMA completed a nationwide flight calibration exercise. This was done in December 2025, restoring serviceability timelines. Another round of inspections is scheduled for early in the new year. This next phase will cover Katsina, Jos, Ilorin, Yola, and Owerri airports. This proactive approach supports harmattan flight safety.

The ILS Category Debate

Public debate often focuses on the lack of widespread ILS Category III (CAT III) systems. NAMA clarified that CAT III is not a universal requirement for safe aircraft operations. The deployment of ILS CAT I, CAT II, or CAT III is based on operational need. Traffic volume and aircraft capability are also factors. For example, aircraft from Airbus or Boeing must be equipped for certain ILS categories. Long-term meteorological data drives the decision, not public perception.

Historical data shows the lowest average runway visibility during harmattan is about 150 meters. NAMA has published instrument approach procedures aligned with ILS CAT II minima. These procedures adequately support safe operations during the most challenging seasonal conditions. The agency stressed that safety relies on system appropriateness and reliability. It is not dependent on deploying the most advanced technology where it is not justified.

Operational Challenges and Air Traffic Management

Delays, diversions, or cancellations during the haze are largely due to weather. Airline operational decisions and aircraft capability are also major factors. They are not primarily caused by failures of operational navigational aids. NAMA works closely with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). This partnership ensures continuous dissemination of accurate weather information. It also provides real-time air traffic management support.

While haze presents operational challenges, it does not mean infrastructural failure. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) prioritizes safety, security, and efficiency. For more insights into the region's aviation sector, check our commercial aviation news section. The airspace is professionally managed and aligned with global best practices.