Federal Government Speaks On Resumption Of International Flight

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on Thursday called on Nigerians to disregard the report making rounds that the aviation sector is set to resume international flight.

The SGF in the PTF daily briefing in Abuja noted that the aviation sector is still working on guidelines to resume international flight.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had earlier stated that the Federal government has not fixed a date for the resumption of international flight.

Mustapha called on Nigerians to be patient and await the real date for resumption of international flights as no date has been fixed yet.

According to him, “the aviation sector has been working assiduously to develop the protocols for the resumption of international air services.”

“The PTF remains conscious of the significant contributions of air travels to economic growth and shall continue to push for a safe resumption.”

“The next phase is for aviation regulators to engage with stakeholders to facilitate an integrated and seamless resumption of international flights.”

“I plead with all Nigerians to await the authentic information from the aviation authorities, discountenance fake news and speculation on dates.”

However, there were reports that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had selected Oct. 15, as the resumption date for international flights.

Reacting, the Minister said that the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), only issued a routine 90-day notice to airmen (NOTAM).

According to him, “international flight resumption date is not October. NAMA just issued a routine 90-day notice to airmen (NOTAM).

“In liaison with the Health, Foreign Affairs & PTF COVID-19 (groups), we will announce the agreed date, regardless of the ban by Europe and UAE, maybe earlier than October,” Sirika said.