By Uche Mbah
The gradual relaxation of the lockdown occasioned by the ravaging Coronavirus is continuing with the Nigerian Airspace regulatory authority, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority pegging June 21 for opening of Airports in the Country. However, this will be in phases, starting from five airports.
Other Airports will be closed for further assessment and possible renovation before reopening.
This was part of a circular to airlines signed by the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt Musa Nuhu.
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had Monday said the International Airports will not be open for International Flights yet. This was buttressed by the circular, which said that international Airports remain closed till further notice, except for special concession for approved chattered flights.
“The closure of Nigerian airports to domestic flights has been extended to 2300Z on 20th June 2020″, he said.
“The gradual start of domestic flight operations will commence on 21st June 2020 with Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano, Omagwa International Airport Port Harcourt, and Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri.
“Other airports will be gradually added to the network after a review and assessment.”
Work at Akanu Ibiam Airport, which has been under repairs due to the deplorable state of the runway, is expected to resume after the partial lifting of the lockdown, according to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
In a related development, there has been a flurry of flight activities over the weekend when governors and stakeholders were flying to and from Abuja and Lagos in consultation about the relaxation of lockdown and the upcoming governorship elections in parts of the country, particularly Edo.
All Progressives Congress governors and senior elected officials were in the Lagos house of the party leader of the All progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, before flying back to Abuja for further consultations.
