— Minister lists conditions
A file photo of the Minister of Aviation. Photo: Twitter-@hadisirika
The Federal Government on Monday said the ban placed on domestic flights may be lifted by June 21.
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, stated this during a briefing at the nation’s capital in Abuja.
Aliyu at the briefing also asked the aviation sector to begin to develop protocols that will lead to the resumption of domestic flights any time from June 21.
“The aviation industry is requested to start developing protocols to allow for domestic flights to resume anytime from the 21st of June onwards.
“When we say from June 21, we mean that we are preparing the aviation sector towards that date. That date may not necessarily be June 21, it could be June 26, 28 or even July 1.
“It depends on whether or not they are prepared. So we are giving them a time frame of three weeks to start preparing for domestic flights.
“We are giving an opportunity for the aviation sector that is heavily regulated to make sure that they start getting their acts together so that airports open up in a safe way,” Aliyu said.
Aliyu also noted that once domestic flights resume then arrangements would be made regarding interstate travel because you cannot have a ban on interstate travel and you have people flying from one state to another.
He added that passengers would be required to wear masks or face shields and maintain physical distancing while airports would also have to mark areas to reflect social distancing.
Aviation Minister Lists Conditions For Reopening Of Domestic Flights
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika on his part listed some conditions which are currently being considered before the final reopening of domestic flights following weeks of lockdown.
Sirika listed the conditions during the update of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.
He said following the directive of the Federal Government for domestic flights to prepare to resume operations June 21, technical and health factors will be considered.
“Regarding the tentative date for reopening of domestic flights from 21st of June, the explanation is that, this is an industry that is highly regulated, it borders on safety and efficiency.
“On the technical aspect, there are aircraft that have been parked for a few months and not been run. We want to ensure that between now and that time, these aeroplanes are good and safe to fly.
“The maintenance for aircraft is either usage or calendar time and there are protocols to the use of such aircraft. So, the airline industry needs to be able to bring those machines to safe operations,” he said.
Sirika added that on the issue of flight crews and carrier crew, efforts are being made to ensure that they get their licence valid again for operations.
He noted further that the medical aspect also needs to be considered as every pilot has a licence which must state that he is fit and able to carry out operations.
According to the Aviation Minister, even the airport needs to be prepared to adopt the new way of life which must reflect social distancing.
“Even the airport where all of these activities will be done needs to be prepared to get ready to accept this new way of air travel,” Sirika said.
The Minister concluded that, although the aviation sector is the worst hit by the COVID-19 lockdown, caution must be taken to ensure reopening in a very orderly and organised manner, “so that we will achieve the intent and purpose of air travel which is safety, efficiency and security.”
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