The Minister for Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hadi Sirika on Wednesday announced the resumption of flights operation in the country.
However, the resumption is for domestic flights only. According to the minister, Abuja and Lagos airports will resume domestic operations on the 8th of July, 2020. While Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri & Maiduguri will resume on the 11th of July.
He said that flights will resume at other airports on 15 July.
The date for international flights is yet to be announced. Sirika said the date will be “announced in due course.”
The minister said “I am glad to announce that Abuja & Lagos airports will resume domestic operations on the 8th of July, 2020. Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri & Maiduguri to resume on the 11th. Other airports on the 15th. Date for international to be announced in due course. Bear with us, please.”
The minister, last week supervised the the dry run simulation exercises at domestic terminals of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos respectively.
Nigeria had in March banned the operation of commercial airlines in the country for both diomestic and international flights in a bid to curtail the spread of Covid-19 in the country. Although exemption was granted for special flights and cargo flights.
FG has also lifted the ban imposed on interstate travel in the country amid the rising cases of Covid-19.