NCAA approves international flights resumption in Lagos, Abuja airports from Sept 5

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed that the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, and Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, will resume international flight operations as from September 5.

NCAA made this known in a letter with ref NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/255 to all aviation stakeholders and foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.

The letter signed by Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, stated that other airports would be gradually reopened, stressing, however, that the two would have to adhere to existing COVID-19 protocols for approvals.

The letter reads, “Other international airports namely Mallam Aminu International Airport, Kano (DNKN), Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa (DNPO), and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu (DNEN), will remain closed to international flights until a new date is determined and announced.”

Nigeria had on March 23, 2020, shut its airspace to international travel to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.

Having resumed domestic flights on July 8, the Federal Government had announced that foreign flights will begin on August 29. 

However, Nuhu revealed a revised time at a news conference in Abuja last week.

“While airlines and airports were ready, other non-aviation logistics require the one-week extension to be ready,” he said, explaining the reasons for the week-long delay.