The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commenced an intensive re-assessment of runways at the nation’s airports.
This move is aimed at improving on the efficiency of the facilities, thereby forestalling potential accidents on the runways.
In a statement issued by Henrietta Yakubu, general manager, corporate affairs, FAAN, she said although, the regular friction measurement for Port Harcourt International Airport was conducted in March 2019 and the result fell within the minimum friction coefficient level, the facility witnessed a skidding incident recently.
“It is therefore with the intention to increase the friction coefficient levels of our runways in accordance with NCAA advisory circular that the Authority is embarking on this exercise across the nation’s airports as the rain is becoming very heavy and unpredictable.
“As a short term measure to increase the safety of the Port Harcourt runway, the Authority just carried out a de- rubberization exercise between 15 to 22 June, 2019 to remove any contaminant,” Yakubu added.
Recalled that the Port Harcourt airport runway was shut down temporarily on Saturday 22nd of June at 3.42pm after Air Peace aircraft skidded off the runway over a heavy downpour, resulting to low visibility at the airside.
Toyin Olajide, the chief operating officer of the airline, who confirmed the incident said that Air Peace Flight P47291 Abuja-Port Harcourt had a runway excursion upon landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport on June 22 due to heavy downpour.
