Following the uncertainty surrounding when international flights will resume in Nigeria, many Nigerians are unanimous in their call for the resumption of international flights in the country to forestall further hardship and economic loss.
The Nigerians took to social networking site; Twitter to vent their frustration at the continued shut down of the country’s international airspace.
Their reactions is coming after Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika had taken to Twitter to announce that International Flight will resume in the country without stating the exact date for the resumption.
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“International flight resumption date is not October. NAMA just issued a routine 90-day Notices to Airmen (NOTAM). In liaison with Health, Foreign Affairs & PTF COVID-19, we’ll announce the agreed date, regardless of the ban by Europe, UAE. May be earlier than October” he tweeted leaving many more confused.
Following his tweet, many users have been expressing their frustration while appealing to the Minister to reopen international flights.
Queen Panther while replying to the minister’s tweet appealed that August 1st should be announced as most African countries have opened their airspace.
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“Most African countries have opened up their international space. Even if we open today, we would be fine. Why not announce August 1st for resumption. We can only learn to live with this virus, it’s here to stay. A COVID-19 test result to be shown at the airport is enough” she tweeted.
Another user, Henry Ugochukwu called on Nigeria to set an example.
“The ban by Europe and UAE is not everlasting. They review their travel advice periodically. Streamline the category of travelers that can leave or come into the country, that way you gradually set the ball rolling. We are the giant of Africa and should set an example” he wrote.
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Similarly, Ezomike Iyke called on Nigerian authorities to resume international flights soon as many neighboring African countries are taking advantage of the continued shutdown.
All the international airports close to Nigeria have opened. They are just milking the Nigerian market. Many international airlines have started flying from Cotonou in the Benin Republic in recent weeks just to gain from the continued shutdown of international travel in Nigeria” he wrote.
Recall that a report had been making the rounds that international flights will not resume in the country until October 15, 2020.
To dispel the rumor, Sirika had taken to Twitter while not providing clarity himself.
According to the minister, people misconstrued a circular by Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, on a 90-day routine to airmen for an extension of the ban.
Recall that the NCAA had issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) stating that it is extending the closure of international airspace until October 15 instead of August 19 as previously stated.
Adamu Abdullahi, director, consumer protection of NCAA, had reportedly confirmed this development in a telephone interview with a newspaper {not The Culture Newspaper}.
Abdullahi had reportedly said international airports would remain closed until October.
Recall also that the Federal Government had in March shut down international airports in a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19 but allowed only diplomatic and essential flight operations.
Domestic flights resumed in the country on July 8, 2020, when Sirika announced in a statement signed by Mr. James Odaudu, the Director of Public Affairs, in the ministry.
Flights commenced at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja and Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. The Port Harcourt, Owerri, Maiduguri and Kano airports also reopened to flights on July 11, while other airports across the country joined on July 15.
Sirika had said at the time that passengers looking to travel out of the country would have to wait a bit longer as the dates for the restart of international flights into and out of the country would be announced at a later date.
