The Nnamdi Azikwe International airport in Abuja will not join its Lagos counterpart to kick off the international flight operation on September 5th as announced by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, at Thursday’s Covid-19 Presidential Task Force Media briefing.
The commercial flights are scheduled to resume on Monday.
The Minister of Aviation had confirmed that Air France, KLM, Etihad, Lufthansa, Rwanda, Air Namibia, Royal Air Maroc, Angola Airlines were restricted from flying into Nigeria.
Sirika who gave reasons said for Air France, KLM, and Lufthansa, tourists business holders are not allowed entry, while Etihad Airways is opened to citizens and residents only.
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Restrictions to Royal Air Maroc, TAAG Angola and Air Namibia were due to non-resumption of international flights to their countries.
He further explained that the case of Rwandan Air was due to noncompliance with Foreign Carrier Operating Permit, while South African Air is not applicable, as its COVID-19 health protocols are yet to be released.
For now, only 14 airlines have been approved to fly Nigeria’s Airspace, including British Airways, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Egypt Air, and Delta Airlines.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
