Int'l flights: FG opens Lagos, Abuja airports Saturday
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has informed stakeholders and foreign airlines about Saturday's resumption of international flights at the Lagos and Abuja airports.
However, there are indications that many of the over 30 airlines operating into the country might not resume that day.
Our correspondent observed that many foreign airlines are yet to firm up their plans for resumption of scheduled flights.
None of the airlines as of Thursday had communicated to their travel partners if they would be resuming on Saturday. It was learnt the airlines were still interfacing with NCAA on this.
NCAA in the All Operators Letter referenced NCAA/ AIR/11/16/225 and signed by the Director-General, Capt.
Musa Nuhu, onWednesday, said, “Following the announcement by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on the partial resumption of international flights, we wish to inform the industry of the following: Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos (DNMM) and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA) will resume international operations effective 00.01z on September 5, 2020.”
However, the DG stated that other international airports remain closed.
He added, “Other International Airports, including Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (DKNN), Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa (DNPO) and the newly reopened Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu (DNEN) will remain closed to international flights until a new date is determined and announced.”
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) had issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) informing the operators of the restart of international operations.
Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu in the notice said, “The NOTAM was issued immediately; we received the circular from the NCAA yesterday. The NOTAM takes effect from the hour 0001 UTC on the 5th September.”