The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and authorities in the aviation industry have agreed to extend operational hours to 10pm at sunset airports.

The Sunset airports are those operating between the hours of 7am and 7pm due to the absence of night flying facilities.

In the communique at the end of the meeting signed by the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the agency said the development was part of measures to address incidents of flight disruptions, especially at airports without 24-hour operation.

At the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the NCAA to resolve rising flight disruptions held at the NCAA Annex in Lagos, it was agreed that airport operational hours will be extended to 10:00 pm for sunset airports with facilities and adequate lighting.

The meeting was attended by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, representatives of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), as well as Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) led by Vice-President, Mr. Allen Onyema, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace.

The meeting was convened to address widespread flight disruptions caused by the harmattan season and other operational challenges while it focused on finding lasting solutions through collaboration and effective policy implementation.