FG Gives Update On Resumption Of International Flights

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, while speaking on the plans to resume international flights on August 29, said Nigeria will apply the principle of reciprocity.

Sirika while speaking at the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, noted that this principle means carriers from all countries that banned flights from Nigeria would also not be allowed to fly into Nigeria.

The Minister was represented at the briefing by the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu.

Recall that the European Union had ban flights from Nigeria, when they opened their airspaces on July 1, 2020.

Speaking on the preparation for international flights resumption, Sirika said: “We are almost there. Just a few things to be done, but we will be ready in the coming days.”

“By Monday, we will have comprehensive details for the resumption.”

He further stated that about 1, 280 passengers would be allowed in on a daily basis in Abuja and Lagos airports, which had been billed to commence first.

The Minister noted that the level of preparation towards the reopening of international flights has reached an advanced stage for the resumption of international flight operations.

He also stated that four flights each would come into Abuja and Lagos airports on a daily basis.

The emphasis, he stated, would be placed on the observation of all the safety and technical guidelines as prescribed by global and health authorities which would be communicated in due course.