Air Fair Hike Inevitable As FG Prepares To Open Up Air Travel

By Uche Mbah

The federal government has finally approved the resumption of flights within the Nigerian airspace but also hinted on price adjustments on the air fair, including booking arrangements. Already test flights from Abuja has met the satisfaction of the presidential task force on COVID 19, which approved the flight resumption.

In answer to questions, the minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, assures that palliatives will be paid to aviation workers early July.

The task force team inspected Lagos airports recently after giving the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja pass mark in the upgrade of facilities. The test flights are from Abuja and Lagos.

” Aviation is a highly regulated sector and this is the new normal. Aviation is a highly regulated industry and one of the reasons why we wanted aviation to go first. Looking at the way that security and everything else has changed. Aviation has done spectacularly well, they have shown what they are able to do as they are highly regulated. They have shown competence’, the coordinator PTF COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, had said.

“Things have changed and things have changed because we have a disease killing people.

” The aviation industry has shown what they have done as an industry and now it is left to Nigerians to do what they need to to be safe.

” While aviation has done tremendously well, what will protect you is yourself and we equally will make sure Nigerians can be safe when they fly.”

Recently, the aviation minister had said there will be no fare hike, but this seems to have changed now.

“I a,m 90-95% happy that we are good to go”, said the aviation minister, Hadi Sirika.

“I am pleased to inform you that Mr. President has carefully considered the 5th Interim Report of the PTF and has accordingly approved that, with the exception of some modifications to be expatiated upon later, the Phase Two of the eased lockdown be extended by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020, through Midnight of Monday, 27 July 2020.

“Specifically, however, the following measures shall either remain in place or come into effect:

“Maintaining the current phase of the national response, for another four weeks in line with modifications to be expatiated on by the National Coordinator; Permission of movement across state borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1st July, 2020; “Enforcement of laws around non-pharmaceutical interventions by States, in particular, the use of face masks in public places;

“Safe re-opening of schools to allow students in graduating classes resume in-person in preparation for examinations; Safe reopening of domestic aviation services as soon as practicable;

“Publication of revised guidelines around the three thematic areas of general movement, industry and labor; and community activities, “ he said.

The government has also opened up inter-state borders within the framework of curfew, but analysts are worried that there is no clarity about the relationship between COVID 19 and curfews.