Imo Airport, Four Others, To Open on June 21; international Flights Still Banned

By Adesina Soyooye

The Sam Mbakwe Cargo International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, has been added to the list of Airports which will be reopened by the Federal Government on June 21.

In a cicular signed by the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu, dated June 1, the NCAA, maintained that International Airports still remained closed.

Before now, the FG had marked only four Airports for opening – Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, The Port Hacourt Airport, Omagwa, and the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano. But there were pressure and outcry that one airport be opened in each zone of the operation.

Imo Airport was then added since the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, is still under renovation.

Said Nuhu: “The closure of Nigerian Airports to domestic flights has been extended to 2300Z on 20th June, 2020.

“The gradual start of domestic flight operations will commence on 21st June 2020 with Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Omagwa International Airport, Port Harcourt and, San Mbakwe Airport, Owerri.”

Nigeria shut down all Domestic and International Flights, March, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 breakout to minimise the spread of the disease.

When flights resume, it will not be business as usual, as aircraft will only be allowed to carry 60 per cent of its capacity to allow for social distancing. Passengers and crew members will, also, wear nose and mouth masks, as well as observe other COVID-19 protocols.