COVID-19: NCAA Approves Reopening Of Asaba Airport For Operations

Commercial operations at the Asaba International Airport, Delta has today been approved.

The development was confirmed in a statement dated Thursday, August 13 by the secretary to the Delta state government, Chiedu Ebie.

Naija News understands that operations at the airport were resumed following a thorough check by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that it is safe and met the requirements on COVID-19 prevention.

Recall that the federal government of Nigeria had in a bid to fight the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic temporarily shut down operation of airports across the country in March 2020.

The order was issued following the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19 in Nigeria, except for essential services who were exempted, Naija News recalls.

However, in July, the minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika announced that 14 airports had been approved to resume operations in the country.

To add to the numbers of approved airports ready for operation, “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the re-opening of the Asaba International Airport for commercial operations,”

“The approval was conveyed to the Delta State Government following the inspection of Asaba International Airport last week by officials of the NCAA to ascertain the level of preparedness for its re-opening pursuant to the Federal Government’s lifting of the ban on local air travel,” the statement reads further.

“The NCAA in its letter conveying the approval stated that the Asaba International Airport had satisfactorily fulfilled the requirements of the COVID-19 restart guidelines and protocols and therefore had been granted the authorisation to resume normal operations.”

“We thank the management of the NCAA for their promptness and professionalism and assure air travellers using the Asaba Airport of the continued commitment of the Delta State Government to the provision of modern facilities for the effective and efficient operation of the Airport.”

Meanwhile, Governor Dapo Abiodun led government of Ogun State has announced the suspension of weekend lockdown in the state.