Minister of aviation Hadi Sirika says international flights operations will resume on Saturday 5th September 2020, as adequate measures and preparations have been in place
Sirika who disclosed that at the presidential Taskforce PTF on covid 19 briefing in Abuja Thursday says all the protocols and procedures required at the airport have been perfected as the two designated airports Murtala Mohammed international airport lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe international airport Abuja are set for operations.
Sirika however disclosed that thirteen airlines have been given approval to fly into the designated airports.
The airlines include BA, Virgin Atlantic, Delta , Emirates, Qatar, AWA, Kenya airways, Air Senegal, Middle East airline and Air Cote d’ivoire.
Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines.
Some of these airlines have permission to fly into the two airports while others have permission to fly into only one airport.
Airlines not approved to fly into Nigeria are Air France, Lufthansa, Royal Air Maroc, Etihad airways, Angolan TAG, Air Namibia
Sirika disclosed that Air Peace was also approved for international flight operation because it originates from Nigeria, and flying the nation’s flag.
Sirika reaffirmed the resumption of flights on 5th September ” Abuja and Lagos will be open for operations on the 5th of September. We are satisfied with preparations so far, we dont anticipate any hitches before we go over the procedures on what has changed, I will quickly go over the airlines and the timetable.
“Saturday for lagos, there will be BA, Delta, Emirates, Qatar, AWA, Kenya airways and middle East airline while for Abuja we have BA, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian airlines, AWA, middle east airline and Turkish.
He further disclosed that two items were used, the Foreign Carrier Aircraft Permit FCOP, which is required by Nigeria’s laws for foreign airlines operating into Nigeria and of course the guidelines by Covid 19 Task force.
While explaining the rationale for the approval and non approval of some airlines into Nigeria the minister said “The reason for Air France is that tourists business holders are not allowed entry. KLM not approved for the same reason as Air France
Delta Airlines no restrictions, because of USA, we have an open Skies with them and they also allow us in.
Qatar airways are allowed and approved under Covid 19 protocol. Etihad not approved. Ethiopian airlines allowed entry under Covid 19 protocols. Egypt Air approved, allowed entry under protocol. Air Namibia not approved
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