Air Force debunks claim of preventing chartered flight landing

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The attention of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF has been drawn to allegations that it prevented a chartered flight from landing at its Base in Makurdi for political reasons.

The Director Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatojunbo Adesanya said that there was no iota of truth in the allegations.

Adesanya said “the runway at NAF Base Makurdi is not a dual user facility but one constructed strictly for military purpose.” 

Established procedure
In line with global best practices, he said there was a clearly established procedure for non-NAF aircraft to operate into and out of the runway in Makurdi, and that procedure was well known to all qualified pilots in Nigeria.

Adesanya stated that many airlines had in the past adhered to the stipulated procedure and therefore successfully landed and taken off from the NAF runway in Makurdi.

”The procedure included a written request to NAF Headquarters Abuja for permission for a specific aircraft to operate into its airfield on a specific date and time, including the names of passengers and other necessary details,” he explained.

Adesanya acknowleged that there was a request for permission by the Benue State Government, for Aircraft with Registration Number 5N-FCT to land at NAF’s Base Makurdi on 16 July, 2018.

Verbally informed
According to him, the requests for landing permits were expected to reach NAF Headquarters not later than two days before the desired landing date.

Adesanya said the NAF went out of its way to expedite the process and accordingly granted the permit for aircraft with Registration Number 5N-FCT to land at NAF Base Makurdi on 16 July 2018.

“However, at about 5pm on 16 July 2018, the NAF was verbally informed that there was a need to change the aircraft for which permission had already been issued, reportedly because the aircraft had developed snags,”he said.

Adesanya said the NAF asked for another written request, in line with the established procedure and as at the date, the NAF Headquarters was yet to receive a written request for the replacement aircraft with Registration Number 5N-IZY to land at its Base in Makurdi.

Landing rights
He stressed that the NAF does not concern itself with political or religious affiliations of individuals/organisations in granting landing rights at its airfields.

“The issue of security and safety remains uppermost particularly while noting that the ongoing Operation WHIRL STROKE is largely being coordinated from NAF Base Makurdi, with fighter aircraft flying in and out of the Base. 

”NAF remains a highly professional and apolitical organization that would rather focus on its military duties,”he said.

Adesanya implored all the people involved to desist from dragging the name of the NAF into partisan politics.

 


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