Nigeria will resume international flight operations on August 29, the Federal Government has announced.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made the announcement on Monday in Abuja at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
“We are very glad today to announce that international flights will resume from August 29, 2020,” he said.
Sirika added, “However, what we have become used to – physical distancing, wearing of masks, washing of hands, temperature taking, etc will continue.”
He explained that the process for the resumption of international flights in the country would be similar to that of the domestic flight resumption.
According to the minister, the resumption will commence on Saturday, next week at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He thanked Nigerians for their patience while the ban on international flights was enforced and gave an assurance that the protocols and procedures for resumption would be announced in due course.
“Just like we did with the domestic (flights resumption), it will start with Lagos and Abuja. The protocols, procedures, and processes, will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, the Asaba Airport on Monday recorded its first flight, four days after it was reopened by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The airport resumed flight operations after it met the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), protocols on COVID-19 pandemic.
The airport and others were shut on March 27, to contain the spread of COVID-19.
On arrival, Aniagwu told newsmen that re-start of flight operations by Aero Contractors was an indication that Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, had upgraded facilities at the airport.
He said: “There are prospects for other airlines to join and increase the flight options to and from Asaba.
“The arrival of Aero Contractors is a good omen for flight users in Asaba, because it will give air travelers more options.
“Good enough, we have more airlines that will be coming into this airport.
“Ibom Air is resuming flight in this airport; we have always had AZMAN and Air Peace and this is Aero. We are also looking forward to having Arik back to the airport. So, we are excited,” he said.
He lauded Mr Austin Ayemidejor, the Special Projects Director of the Asaba Airport, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the airport met NCAA requirement.
Ayemidejor said the state government had invested a lot to ensure compliance with regulatory protocol for the reopening of the airport.
He commended the governor for his commitment to the development of the airport.
“The airport got a very satisfactory approval from NCAA and we must ensure that the airport continues to operate in line with laid down protocols and international best practices.
“Our objective is to upgrade the airport to a new category to accommodate flights of all sizes because we are currently on Category 6,” Ayemidejor said.
