Business
British Airways Suffers Multiple Bird Strikes At Lagos Airport
A Boeing 777-300, registration G-STBE belonging to British Airways, performing flight BA-75 from Heathrow airport, London to Lagos, suffered multiple bird strikes on December 30, 2020.
A bird strike is a collision between an airborne animal and a vehicle, usually an aircraft.
The flight was on final approach to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos’ runway 18R when the aircraft received a number of bird strikes in the flare causing a hydraulic leak.
However, the aircraft touched down safely, rolled out and vacated the runway and was taxing towards the apron when the aircraft lost nose wheel steering, hydraulic C system indicated zero quantity and smoke was seen from the main landing gear. The crew stopped the aircraft on the taxiway.
A ground observer reported that the crew declared PAN-PAN and radioed multiple times without emergency services responding.
The radiotelephony message PAN-PAN is the international standard urgency signal that someone aboard an aircraft uses to declare that they have a situation that is urgent.
However, despite radioing multiple times, it took 11 minutes after the aircraft landed for two firemen to walk out with portable fire extinguishers to help put out the smoke. A fire truck later arrived about 16 minutes after landing. It was established that hydraulic fluid was dripping onto the hot brakes of the main landing gear causing the smoke.
The aircraft remained on the ground for about 10 hours until temporary repairs were completed, then departed for the return flight BA-74 and reached London with a delay of six hours. The aircraft is still on the ground in London about four days after the bird strikes and about 54 hours after landing in London.
A source within the fire service department confirmed that there was delay in responding to the distress call from the BA flight. The source, however, said that in most cases, the fire service department responds to emergencies based on priority.
An industry insider also revealed that bird strikes are very common occurrence at the MMIA and that most often, the reponse from the fire service department is not usually as swift as it should be.
According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, about 61% of bird strikes with civil aircraft occur during landing phases of flight (descent, approach and landing roll); 36percent occur during take-off run and climb; and the remainder (3percent) occur during the en-route phase.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
-
News20 hours agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
Oil & Energy17 hours agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Opinion5 hours ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
Business17 hours agoNSCDC Discloses Illegal Dump Site In Ikwerre Community
-
Rivers17 hours agoPolice Launch Community-Centred National Day Celebration In Rivers, Today
-
Business17 hours agoYenagoa’s Radisson Hotel Ready December — NCDMB, Other
-
Maritime17 hours agoMWUN Raises Alarm Over Port Security Lapses In Lagos
-
Maritime17 hours agoNNS Hands Over Two Suspected Stowaways to Immigration Service