NEW PROCEDURES FOR LANDING CLEARANCE OF DOMESTIC CIVIL AIRCRAFT AT MILITARY AIRFIELDS IN NIGERIA

Without prejudice to existing MoUs between some domestic civil aviation operators and the Nigerian Air Force, on the operations of domestic civil aircraft into military airfields, it has become necessary to clearly redefine the procedures  governing the issuance of landing clearances into military airfields in Nigeria.  The objective is to ensure that the issuance of landing c learance by the Nigerian Air Force is speedy, responsive and well coordinated. 

       APPLICABLE RULES

       In requesting/executing a Landing Clearance (see Annex A for Request Form), the following rules shall apply:

a.       A request for Landing Clearance must be filed with Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force a minimum of
          48 hours prior to a flight (either via fax - 234 9 2349611 or [attached in pdf format] to
          ops@nigerianairforce.net).
          In exceptional circumstances of urgent government, commercial or humanitarian need, requests
          may be filed at short notice but not later than 6 hours before the flight.  Under such exceptional
          circumstances, it would be the originator’s responsibility to confirm approval or otherwise at least 2
          hours before the flight through the following numbers 234 9 2349611 or 234 9 6703586.

  b.     Details of cargo, if any, are to be included.

              c.      Details of VIP on board are to be provided as appropriate.

  d.     On no circumstance must photographic imagery or electronic surveillance equipment be carried
          except when specifically detailed and authorized for aerial survey activities. The reference of such
          an authorization (requested for separately in writing) must be stated in the Request Form.

              e.      The validity period of a single Landing Clearance is 24 hours from the requested time of arrival.  A
           new request must be filed for flights delayed outside this period.  For Block Clearance, the
           commencement date is as requested spanning up to 24 hours after the end date; but not exceeding
           a period of 6 months.   The Block Clearance should be renewed after this period.  

 f.       Notwithstanding the entries in the “Facilities Required Section” of the Request Form, all
           administrative arrangements with the airfield of arrival are the responsibility of the originator of
           the Landing Clearance request.

LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENT

All aircraft, crews and passengers, landing on a military airfield in Nigeria must abide by local military mandates and the Official Secrets Act, and comply with all relevant air safety, cargo, air traffic regulations and procedures.  Criminal and other sanctions will be applied to aircraft, crew and passengers who breach Nigerian criminal or civil law and relevant regulations.  The granting of Landing Clearance does not constitute permission to engage in any conduct, which could jeopardize/compromise the Nigerian Air Force in observance/performance of its fundamental obligations and/or would amount to a misuse of civil aviation for any purpose inconsistent with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act (2006).

CONFIDENTIALITY
 

The Nigerian Air Force will regard information on individual flights provided through the Landing Clearance procedure as confidential, though we reserve the right to publish generic and statistical information.  This may include the number of applications from each domestic operator, the number of passengers and tonnage.  It will not include information on the identities of VIPs on particular flights, or the nature of cargo carried.  Exceptions to the observance of the confidentiality of information include directives from appropriate judicial/legal proceedings, statutory obligations or whenever it is perceived that there is legitimate public interest in the release of detailed information on particular flights.  The Nigerian Air Force shall consult with the relevant domestic operators prior to release of the information.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This new procedures for Landing Clearance requests comes into effect on 1 October 2007.

                    BG DANBABA

Abuja                                                                                                                       Air Vice Marshal

September 2007                                                                                                        for Chief of the Air Staff

Download Request Form for Landing Clearance of Civil Domestic Flights at Military Air Fields in Nigeria.