As Nigeria prepares to resume international flights, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has revealed that the country will apply the principle of reciprocity.
Speaking at the Presidential Task Force daily briefing, the minister, who was represented by the director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu, explained that this principle means all countries that have banned flights from Nigeria, will also have planes from their countries, banned from entry into Nigeria.
Some of the countries which have already banned flights from Nigeria are in the European Union (EU) as the EU included Nigeria on the banned countries on the first of July, 2020 when they opened their airspace.
He explained that meetings have already been communicated with the international flights, where these decision have been revealed to them.
Speaking on the preparation for the flights resumption, the minsiter stated that “we are almost there. Just a few things to be done but we will be ready in the coming days. By Monday, we will have a comprehensive details for the resumption.”
The aviation minister also noted that about 1280 passengers will be allowed in on a daily basis in Abuja and Lagos airports, which have been billed to commence first.
Recall that the PTF had earlier revealed that international flights will resume on August 29, 2020 after outbreak of the coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic globally.
The Minister had said Nigeria’s preparation had reached advanced stages of preparedness for the resumption of international flight operations.
He also stated that four flights each will come into Abuja and Lagos airports on a daily basis.
Emphasis, he stated, will be placed on the observation of all the safety and technical guidelines as prescribed by global and health authorities which will be communicated in due course.
– Leadership.