FG Cautions Airlines against Air Returns written by Yemi Akinsuyi (Thisday)

Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, Sunday said there was no justification for air returns based on poor weather conditions at the destination of airplanes, saying such incidents are occasioned by the failure of airline operators and pilots to get weather reports before take-off.

She therefore warned airline operators against non-compliance with weather rules. 

In a release signed by the Special Assistant, Media, Joe Obi, the minister attributed some of the air problems witnessed in the country to carelessness on the part of the operators.     

The statement reads: ‘Lately, it has been observed that only flight dispatchers go to the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) to obtain meteorological folders without the pilots themselves actually receiving the weather briefing. This accounts for why aircraft take off and get to their destinations but are unable to land. 

“Henceforth, all airline operators and pilots are required to obtain and confirm their destination weather reports from the AIS before start-up and take-off according to international standard and best practices in order to prevent incidents of avoidable air returns due to unfavourable weather condition.

“This information, which is provided by NIMET and readily available at the AIS , is meant to guide pilots on destination weather and to assist them make informed decisions on whether or not to take off from one airport to another.”

Oduah said there is absolutely no reason and justification for an aircraft to make an air return on the basis of poor weather condition since initial weather report from the AIS would have been adequate to indicate the futility of an initial take-off under such harsh weather conditions.   

This recklessness on the part of airline operators and pilots, the minister warned, will no longer be tolerated and infractions would be met with serious sanctions as she noted that this has the potential of compromising the safety of the nation’s airspace.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-cautions-airlines-against-air-returns/123302/