The Federal Government has announced September 5 for the resumption of international flights, explaining that it never gave an August 29 date, contrary to reports that the restart would be tomorrow.
In March, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the suspension of international flights to curb the influx of imported cases of virus into the country.
Announcing the resumption date, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director-General Captain Musa Nuhu said: “Since the announcement by the Minister of Aviation that international flights will resume anytime from the 29th of August, the aviation sector has worked assiduously to be ready for this date.
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“The aviation sector, including the airports, are already working towards this line. However, we have other non-aviation logistics we are still working on and it has mostly to do with COVID protocols test and open the online platform.
“We need to get this ready to have a smooth and efficient resumption of the international flights without difficulties for all the passengers.
“So, for this reason, unfortunately, I have to let you know the resumption date has been shifted by one week and it is now 5th of September which is now a sacrosanct date.
“The initial announcement was anytime from 29th of August but now, we have fixed a date; 5th of September to ensure that the sacrosanct date for the resumption of international flight.”
Nuhu said a comprehensive list of countries that will not be allowed to fly into Nigeria would be released next week.
“In due course and very shortly, we will be announcing the protocols once the logistics are done, the protocols for the resumption and also further details on the principles of reciprocity that we mentioned will be given. We are looking at a list and we are working on that and hopefully early next week, we will release it.”
The Federal Government expressed hope the reopening of the Nigerian to international flights would boost the economy.
