Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has revealed that from Sunday 21st June 2020, Nigerian airports will be opened to domestic flights.
Sirika made this known at Monday’s briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, he said the resumption of flights will be purely premised on the implementation of the approved protocols for safe operations of the airlines.
The minister explained that the three weeks period between now and the resumption date is to enable the operators to adhere to all the necessary industry regulations, without which they cannot take to the skies after being dormant for some time. This is because
Aviation, unlike other sectors, is a highly regulated one.
Speaking on modalities for the operation of flights when they resume, the Minister said consultations are ongoing between the Ministry and industry stakeholders on the best ways to operate profitably while at the same time ensuring the safety of travelers.
Sirika cautioned owners of private aircraft who have been in the habit of asking for permits to fly within the country despite the restrictions in place to desist, as the restrictions are still in place, except for those on essential services that have been clearly defined.
He also made it clear and unequivocal that approval for flights on essential services are not paid for, while it takes little or no time to grant such approvals.
He warned against people allowing themselves to be scammed by people outside the approving authorities as the sector under his watch has had zero tolerance for corrupt practices since his assumption of office as Minister.
The Minister also expressed gratitude for the cooperation of stakeholders in the aviation sector in spite of their unquantifiable losses occasioned by the lockdown since March and assured that all things humanly possible would be done to ensure a speedy recovery of the sector.
Recall that domestic flights have been suspended since March as one of the measures to control the spread of the coronavirus.
