Breaking: No International Flights Till Mid-October; Minister Says Notice By NAMA Just Routine |The Source

By Adesina Soyooye

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that international flights will not be allowed into or out of Nigeria till October 15.

Even at that, the date is subject is subject to a review when it comes.

Expectations were high that the international air space would open on August 19, 2020.

NAMA, says it is extending the closure of international airspace until October 15 instead of August 19 as earlier expected.

With the extension, the airspace would remain closed until October. The closure may be extended again if need be.

But the Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has clarified the situation.

He said the October 15 days is not essentially an extension of the ban on international flights. He said the three-month extension by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, was just a routine notice, saying that the airspace may be opened earlier than October 15 for international flights.

The  Nigeria Government, in March,  shut down international airports in order to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Only diplomatic and essential flight operations are allowed.