‘No date for International flights operations yet’ - FG

Chinazor Megbolu |

The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Minister of Aviation, Mallam Hadi Sirika has said that date for international flights hasn’t been fixed yet.

He made the disclosure through his twitter handle, @hadisirika on Tuesday, stating that the date hasn’t been announced for international flight operations.

Recall that there had been reports that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had chosen October 15, 2020 as the international flights resumption date, which the Minister has denied.

Sirika hinted that the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) only issued a routine 90-day notice to airmen (NOTAM) and not resumption date.

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

“In liaison with health, foreign affairs & PTF Covid-19, we will announce the agreed date, regardless of the ban by Europe, UAE etc. May be earlier than October”.

The Minister, however, maintained that the Nigeria’s airports were shut on March 23, 2020, towards containing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sirika pointed out that domestic flight operations resumed July 8, 2020 with the Lagos and Abuja airports while Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Maiduguri airports resumed July 11, 2020.

“You are very aware that so many countries had placed a ban on countries that we cannot go even from Nigeria

“Also Nigeria, of course, will place a ban on other countries that cannot come in here.

Everyone is trying to keep safe.

“These and many other reasons will make us be cautious and study some more and liaise with stakeholders to decide when we will open international flights.

“Within the sector, we want to reopen because we are bleeding and losing money but we have to remain alive first before we make money.

“Whatever decision we take has to be in the interest of humanity in general,” Sirika said.

He further indicated that at present, flights have to receive approval from the Ministry of Aviation before any flight can be operated, adding that only diplomatic and essential flights would only be allowed.