See five airports to be reopened by June 21

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has revealed that only five airports will be allowed to reopen. This is in line with the previous news that airports will be reopened for domestic flights from June 21, 2020.

A circular signed by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu stated that the airports to reopen for operations include Omagwa International Airport Port Harcourt, Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano.

The circular added that the Nigerian Airspace remains closed for International flights. The circular reads in part:

''Following the announcement by President Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on the easing of and the start of second phase on the COVID-19 lockdown , we wish to inform the industry of the following: The closure of Nigerian airports to domestic flights has been extended to 2300Z on the 20th June 2020. 

The gradual start of domestic flight operations will commence on 21st June 2020 with Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano, Omagwa International Airport, Port Harcourt and Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri.

Other airports will be gradually added to the network after a review and assessment. All flights to any airport outside the above five listed airports above shall comply with the existing COVID- 19 protocols for approvals.

The closure of Nigerian airports to international flights will continue until a date of resumption is announced.

Emergency and essentials flights are exempted from this restriction and shall comply with the existing COVID-19 protocols for approvals.''

Domestic flights to resume operations on June 21

Nigeria’s domestic airspace, shut in March in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is now set for a re-opening.

The federal government has asked the aviation sector to begin developing protocols that will lead to the resumption of domestic flights from June 21.

National coordinator of the presidential task force on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, said during a briefing on Monday, June 1, that “the aviation industry is requested to start developing protocols to allow for domestic flights to resume anytime from the 21st of June onwards.

“Airlines must ensure physical distancing by reducing passenger capacity and ensure the provision of sanitisers and personal protective equipment as well as carrying out temperature checks at the point of entry and departure and ensuring that airports are not congested by either travelers or airports staff.”