COVID-19: FG To Re-open Airspace For Int’l Flight August 29

The federal government has given indication for the reopening of the airspace for international travel on August 29.

BIGPEN recalls the Nigerian airspace was shut to international travel on March 23, 2020, to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, who announced the reopening of the airspace for international flight on Monday via his verified twitter handle, however, disclosed that the commencement would be in phases.

According to him, the processes would take the shape adopted for domestic flights operation which started with the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.

“Glad to announce the resumption of international flights from the 29th of August, 2020. Beginning with Lagos and Abuja as we did with the domestic flight resumption.

“Protocols and procedures will be announced in due course. We thank you for your patience,” he tweeted.

Reports say domestic flight operations commenced across the country on July 8 with the Lagos and Abuja airports while Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Maiduguri airports began on July 11.

On August 6, Sani Aliyu, national coordinator of the presidential task force on COVID-19, asked the aviation authorities and airline operators to begin the process for the resumption of international flights.

As part of intending procedures for international flight resumption, Aliyu had said passengers would have to arrive at the airport three hours before takeoff to give them ample time to go through necessary checks.