Nigeria Content Online

The Nigerian Civil
Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on Europe-bound passengers to
exercise patience with airlines in the country over delays in their
flights.

This is coming after European authorities shut down their airspaces, due to the recent volcanic ash experienced in Europe.

“Disruptions to
flights are likely to extend for up to one week as airlines attempt to
move delayed passengers and return to normal flight schedules,” said
Harold Demuren, director general of the NCAA, over the weekend.

Endangering aircraft

Mr. Demuren
disclosed that the authority is aware of the hazards of flying in an
airspace with particles of ash, adding that the microscopic particles
have the tendency of endangering aircraft engines as well as human
lives.

“Civil aviation
has become increasingly aware of the dangers of flying through
microscopic fragments of rock and pumice that make up ash clouds,” he
said. “Jet engines are highly complex machines designed to function in
environments free of debris and corrosive gases, and the effects of
volcanic ash have severely endangered safety on some flights.”

The authority’s
boss said the European airspace was shut down to flight operations
because of the particles, stressing that regular operations will
commence when the ash dissipates.

He, however,
advised intending passengers to liaise with their airlines to confirm
the status of their flights and any special arrangements made for
passengers whose trips have been interrupted.

Arik suspends flights

Still as a result
of the volcanic ash over European skies, Arik Air, an indigenous
carrier involved in domestic and international air transport business,
in a statement, announced the suspension of flight services to London
Heathrow.

According to the
airline, it will not operate its flights into London Heathrow since
there is no improvement in the weather conditions in the United
Kingdom, adding this is in compliance with a directive from UK Air
Traffic Control Services (NATS) and for safety reasons.

Arik, however,
advised all its customers who had been booked on any of the airline’s
flights to London Heathrow from either Lagos or Abuja to contact its
call centre or re-book their travel date and check the status of their
flight before leaving for the airport.

According to the
carrier, passengers holding confirmed travel tickets could re-book for
next week or a date of their choice within the next two weeks at no
additional charge, subject to availability of seats.

“Once normal operations are restored in London Heathrow; Arik would
request for extra flights, again subject to approval,” said the carrier.