JUST IN: Domestic flights resumption June 21 not possible-FG

The Federal Government says the June 21 date for the restart of domestic flights in the country is not possible.

Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, announced this on Thursday at the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja.

Senator Hadi Sirika, who was represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt Musa Nuhu said, “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.

“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.

Read Also:FG speaks on plan to absorb N-Power beneficiaries into Civil Service(Opens in a new browser tab)

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

He said the Authority has been rubbing minds with airlines, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and other stakeholders, adding that feedbacks have been received and concerns are being addressed.

The NCAA Boss added that inputs are also being received from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the United Nations agency in charge of civil aviation as well as standard and recommended practices for the sector.