NCAA, MMA2 raise the bar, inspect apron

• Terminal operator practices robust safety culture-Aroguma

Aprons are often the most congested and busiest areas of an airport. They are home to demanding and complex activities that are carried out under severe space and time constraints.

As part of MMA2 2019 Safety Awareness Campaign of constantly improving on safety on the apron and the entire of its airport terminal, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Air port2 (MMA2) conducted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on safety audit of the terminal’s airside.

The theme of the awareness campaign was “SAFETY… IT TAKES ALL OF US”.

Some of the observations by the aviation regulatory body were that the airport operator should ensure it carries out visible markings on the apron, removal of disused aircraft and overall safety precaution by airline ground staff and others working in critical areas of the terminal.

A common sight strikes the eyes of passengers in airports throughout Nigeria’s major airports: old aircraft that belonged to bankrupt airlines share the ground with on-duty planes and wear out in the weather. Some of these retired planes have never been auctioned.

Others were auctioned years ago, but are still waiting for their new owners to take them away. The owners, in turn, cite the high transport costs and business shifts as the main reasons for the delays in picking them up.

The parking of disused airplanes particularly at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) is coming at a time the terminal operator is grappling with space following the increase in airline operations from the terminal, forcing planes which are to pick passengers from the terminal to park elsewhere until other aircraft make way out of the apron.

Director of Airspace and Aerodrome Standards of the NCAA, Muhammed Odunowo says safety was   very critical in the aviation sector.

He said it is very important that they come up with programmes that could engender same and one that would encourage passengers to take to air safety.

Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is under immense pressure of where to keep disused airplanes as the original place designated for the unserviceable airplanes otherwise referred to as ‘burial ground’ is already being ceded for expansion of the apron at the domestic wing of the Lagos airport.

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited Safety Manager, Mr. Charles Aroguma said the priority of the terminal manager was to ensure safety at all times on the apron, stressing that what BASL had done over the years showed its commitment to ensuring safety in all their activities.

He added that it is an attestation that it takes everybody working together to make safety a reality on the apron.

He said MMA2 would continue to develop and practice robust safety culture across its entire aviation activities that recognize the importance and value of effective aviation safety management.

The safety campaign he reiterated would help to address challenges which are inherent in their day-to-day activities which includes violation of apron safety rules and regulations, oil spillage during fuelling, working without personal protective equipment, the use of unserviceable equipment, activities of ground handling personnel, promoting quality reporting culture and prompt identification and intervention on potential safety-related issues in and around the apron.

He noted that this would be achieved by clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders aimed towards the development and delivery of safe practice and procedures.

Wole Shadare