Why International flights resumption date was postponed- NCAA explains

NCAA has disclosed the main reason international flights resumption date was postponed on Thursday.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) explained the reason the Federal Government shifted the earlier announced date for international flights resumption, OnyxNews Nigeria reports.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had said international airports in Nigeria would resume international flight operation effective from August 29.

However, speaking at a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 in Abuja on Thursday, Capt Musa Nuhu, NCAA Director-General, said there were non-aeronautical logistics that required to be put in place before the country’s airspace is opened to international flights.

He said: “Since the announcement by the honourable minister of aviation a few weeks ago that international flights will resume anytime from 29th of August, the aviation sector has worked assiduously to be ready for this date.

“The aviation sector including the airports is ready to resume on the 29th. However, we have other non-aviation logistics we are still working on mostly to do with the Covid-19 protocols, tests, and online platforms. We need to get this in place so that we will have a smooth and efficient resumption of international flights without difficulties for all the passengers.

“So, for this reason, unfortunately, I have to let you know that the resumption date has been shifted by one week to the 5th of September which is now a sacrosanct date. The initial announcement was anytime from August 29. Now we have fixed a date – 5th of September to ensure that resumption of international flights.

“In due course, once these logistics are done, we will be announcing the protocols for the resumption and also we will be giving further details on the principle of reciprocity we have mentioned. So, hopefully early next week, we will release this.”

Nigeria’s airspace and airports had been shut in March to curtail the continuous spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic though the government on July 8 opened the airspace and airports for domestic flight operations.