Minister of Aviation
As Nigeria sets for the resumption of scheduled International flight operations, Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has informed that the nation will enforce the principle of reciprocity in flight operations with countries that allow flights to and from Nigeria.
Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika disclosed this at Thursday’s media briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.
“Nigeria will enforce the principle of reciprocity in granting permission to airlines to resume operations in the country as it opens its airspace.
“What it means is that only airlines from countries that allow flights from Nigeria will be allowed to fly into and out of the country,” the minister said.
Nigeria has promised to resume scheduled International flights from two of her gateway airports on August 29.
According to him, the country’s position is informed by the ban placed by some countries on flights from Nigeria, and that Nigeria’s decision was taken in the interest of her citizens.
The Minister who was represented by the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, also disclosed that airlines will be informed on arrangements put in place to ensure that resumption of flights will be hitch-free.
He also stated that for now, only a few flights per day will be permitted as a test run for the the protocols put in place to ensure a safe return to international operations. The protocols, according to him, would be made public in due course.
Sirika who expressed his appreciation to the airlines, aviation workers, travellers and all stakeholders for their patience and understanding, urged all hands to be on deck in ensuring a successful and efficient resumption of scheduled international flight operations.
