All airports now open to domestic flights – FG

 

The Federal Government has said all airports in the country including private airports and airstrips were now opened for domestic commercial flights .

The Minister of Aviation , Hadi Sirika , made this known on Monday during a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19 in Abuja .

It had been reported that FG reopened 14 local airports when domestic flight operations resumed in July after months of closure caused by the lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic .

The government had also approved the reopening of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja as well as the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos for international flight operations which commenced earlier this month.

But speaking on Monday , Sirika said all airports in the country including those in Jalingo , Gombe , amongst others could restart operations .

He said , “ Regarding approvals for flights within the country – domestic approvals . All airports in Nigeria are now open for domestic flights . Private charter operations will no longer need approvals from us to operate within domestic airports in all government -approved airports and in all government -owned airports.

“ However , those airports that are private airports – government - approved airports – the operators should check the safety status with the NCAA ( Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ) . Such airports like Jalingo , Uyo , Asaba , Gombe, Nasarawa , Damaturu , Osubi , etc .

“ So , you won ’ t need any approvals from the minister but you should kindly check the status of these airports with the NCAA which is normal . ”

“ All flights out of the country and into the country that are private charter will still need approvals including technical stops , ” the minister added .