FG Extends Closure Of Airspace To International Passenger Traffic

By Chuks Ekpeneru

Hopes that international flights into Nigeria will soon commence has been dashed as the Federal Government has extended the closure of airports for international flights till October 2020.

In a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) stated that the airspace would no longer reopen for international flights on August 19.

The Federal Government has come under pressure from tour operators and travel management companies to lift the ban on international flights imposed in March following the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, domestic flights have since been restored.

The NOTAM read: “The Federal Government has extended the closure of our airports to all international flights with the exception of aircraft in a state of emergency.”

However, the NOTAM indicated that approval may be requested and granted for “over-flights, operations related to humanitarian aids, medical relief flights, alternate aerodrome in the flight plan and also those being used for extended diversion time operation.”

Also approved for exemptions are “technical landings where passengers do not disembark and cargo flights and other safety-related operations.”

Such requests would be directed to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the NOTAM issued by the NCAA DG, Capt. Musa Nuhu said.

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