The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended the closure of the Nigerian airports for international flights till October 2020.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to that effect informing stakeholders that the airspace would no longer reopen for international flights on August 19.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had suspended international flights in March following the COVID-19 pandemic but it recently reopened the airports for domestic flights.

However, there has been pressure, especially from tour operators and travel management companies on the government to lift the ban on international flights.

But the hope of those agitating for the reopening of airports for international flights has been further dashed following the extension of the ban from August till October.

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

DjSwaga:
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) stating that it is extending closure of international airspace until October 15 instead of August 19 as previously stated.

Adamu Abdullahi, director, consumer protection of NCAA, confirmed this development in a telephone interview with BusinessDay.
Abdullahi said international airports would remain closed until October.
He said there was never a time the Federal Government gave a specific date for reopening the airspace for international flight operations but that the government had previously said the airports would be closed until August.
He clarified that with this extension, the airspace would remain closed until October and if there was a need to extend the closure, it would be communicated.
This implies that only essential and diplomatic flights would be allowed for now until the airspace is opened for international flight operations.
The Federal Government had in March shut down international airports in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 but allowed only diplomatic and essential flight operations.

PureGoldh:
Dx people no serious atall

PureGoldh:
Dx people no serious atall

DropsMic:
I my mom go cry on how she sees this news