Lagos — Kaduna airport has been shut to flights for the second time in three months due to poor fire cover by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); the same reason it was shut few months ago.

THISDAY learnt that the only fire tender in working condition had broken down and the airport had no vehicle that could put out a fire in case of a crash at the airport.

Airlines operating at the airport have suspended their operations pending the improvement of fire facilities.

Arik Air, one of the airlines operating the Kaduna route in a press statement yesterday announced that it had stopped its two daily flights from the airport, citing safety concerns.

" Arik Air , Nigeria 's leading commercial airline, has announced the temporary withdrawal of its flights to the airport of Kaduna , in northern Nigeria . The airline promptly took the decision this morning (yesterday) when it learnt that the airport fire cover had fallen below minimum safety limits, " said the statement.

Although Chanchangi flight took off from the airport yesterday morning to Lagos , the airline learnt later of the poor fire cover at the airport and may also suspend operations for the safety of its passengers.

But spokesman of the airline, Ibrahim Adamu, said that Chanchangi would continue to operate at the airport if FAAN which manages all the airports in the country confirmed that the tender vehicle had been repaired and in working condition.

Reacting to the incident, the management of FAAN said that the fire tender which broke down earlier in the day had been repaired, adding that the agency had two fire tenders at the Kaduna airport.

"It is true that one of our two fire tender vehicles in Kaduna broke down but it has been repaired, so airlines are now ready to start flights to the airport," management source said.

But THISDAY learnt from a reliable source in the Fire Department of the Authority that the only operating fire service vehicle at the airport was an upgraded pick up van that was equipped with fire tender facilities.

In a telephone interview, spokesman of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Sam Adurogboye, told THISDAY that although he was not aware of the closure of the airport, according to international standard, it was the responsibility of FAAN to shut or downgrade any airport that lacked the basic requirements for air operation and not to wait for the regulatory body to do so.

"They don't have to wait for us to come and shut or downgrade the airport. Once they know that the airport does not meet the required standard they should shut it, " he said.

FAAN has not been able to provide adequate fire equipment at the nation's airports and that has always been the major reason why the ones that did not meet the required minimum cover were downgraded or shut.

Last year the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport , Abuja was downgraded from category 9 to 8 and that of Port Harcourt International Airport was earlier in the year shut for the same reason.

This is the second time the Kaduna airport has been shut this year for poor fire equipment.