FG to Nigerians: Domestic flights can’t resume June 21

The Federal Government says the June 21 date for the restart of domestic flights in the country is not feasible, The PUNCH has learnt.

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

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the PTF said aviation authorities will determine  the resumption of flight operations.

PTF coordinator, Sani Aliyu had on June 1 requested the aviation industry to start developing protocols to allow for the resumption of domestic flights from June 21.

But Sirika, who was represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt Musa Nuhu, said, “June 21st is not a feasible date to resume domestic operations.

“The civil aviation authority despite pressures coming from all quarters will not approve the start any day until we are sure and we confirm that we are ready to start in a safe, secure, organised and efficient manner. To do otherwise is disastrous for all of us.

“If we open the industry when we are not ready, and we are guilty of spreading coronavirus, God forbid we have any incident, I believe the government will come hard on us and it is going to be counterproductive and disastrous for the industry.

“We are not too far, we are close but there is a need for timing to ensure that we are ready, positively, absolutely ready to start work.”

The NCAA boss said the Authority has been rubbing mind with airlines, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and other stakeholders, adding that feedbacks have been received and concerns are being addressed. Punch