COVID-19: Nigeria Sets Date for Domestic Flights Resumption

Matilda Omonaiye/

Domestic flights suspended in Nigeria since March 2020 over COVID-19 pandemic, will resume on July 8.

According to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who made the announcement today, the flights would commence with the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. 

The Port Harcourt, Owerri and Maiduguri airports would reopen to flights on the 11th of July, while other airports across the country would join on the 15th of July. 

A statement signed by James Odaudu, the Director, Public Affairs at the Ministry of Aviation, further says: “Passengers looking to travel out of the country will have to wait a bit longer as the dates for the restart of international flights into and out of the country will be announced later.

“Senator Sirika thanks stakeholders in the aviation industry and indeed the Nigerian public who have had to cope with the adverse effects of the flight suspension for their perseverance and cooperation in ensuring a successful return of operations at the nation’s airports. 

“Passengers are highly advised to follow all the safety guidelines and protocols put in place to ensure that the airports don’t become channels of infection for the dreaded coronavirus. 

“He assures that government will do all within its powers to ensure a rapid recovery of the aviation industry.”