By Francis Ogwo
As Nigeria prepares to reopen its airspace to commercial flights, six airlines have been reported to have passed the airworthiness mark set by the sector regulator in order to allow them begin.
This is also as about 20 operators in the aviation sector, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, submitted their operational restart plans to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
The information made available during a webinar from Tuesday night till the early hours of Wednesday.
FAAN had announced that with the resumption of commercial flights at various airports, persons who were not travelling would not be allowed into the airport terminal buildings.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Director-General, NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu; National Coordinator, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Sanni Aliyu; Chairman, Air Peace, Allen Oyema, were among the many operators who participated in the webinar.
On the submission of restart plans by operators, the General Manager, Airline Operators’ Certificate and Surveillance, NCAA, Godwin Balang, said 20 stakeholders had complied.
Balang in his words said, “We have 11 recommendations and we have reviewed the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s recommendations. The guideline is going to reflect our last meeting with airlines.
“On recovery plan, 20 aviation stakeholders have submitted their restart plan so far.
“We have received from FAAN, plan on Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt; Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri; while those of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja came later.”
Also responding was the Director, Airworthiness Standards, NCAA, Ita Awak, who told participants that some airlines had met the airworthiness requirements of the regulator.
