Arik, Aero, Dana, others start Lagos-Abuja flights Wednesday

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor, Aviation Correspondent

• Life again at airports
• NCAA warns towards breach of protocol

Nigeria’s airspace will roar again to life on Wednesday as six home carriers are set to renew flights after greater than three months the Federal Authorities shut down all airports to forestall Coronavirus unfold. The airways are Arik Air, AeroContractors, Air Peace, DANA Air, AZMAN Air and Max Air .

Their resumption follows their compliance with the security, well being and different pointers rolled out by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as preemptive measures towards the unfold of COVID-19.

The Nation’s checks on their web sites on Sunday confirmed that they might for now consider the profitable Lagos – Abuja; Abuja – Lagos and Lagos – Port Harcourt routes.

Info gleaned from the web sites indicated that passengers could be paying not lower than N33,000 for the economic system cabin.

Arik Air Managing Director Captain Roy Ilegbodu mentioned in an announcement that the service will likely be working three flights each day from Lagos to Abuja within the first section of the restart.

He said that Port Harcourt could be added to the schedule from Saturday when its    Worldwide Airport in Omagwa is predicted to be reopened.

He mentioned: “Passengers have been assured of their security and well-being at each stage of their flight because the airline has put numerous measures in place in keeping with COVID-19 protocols as advisable by the World Well being Organisation (WHO), Worldwide Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Federal Authorities.

“Passengers are suggested to reach on the airport three hours earlier than scheduled departure occasions in order to have ample time to endure all safety and well being protocols earlier than flight. Moreover, all passengers are required to return correctly kitted with their face masks

Air Peace mentioned it’s going to function three flights on the Lagos – Abuja route in addition to return flights on the identical route.

DANA Air mentioned it’s going to function flights however didn’t state the variety of rotations.

In keeping with info on its web site, AZMAN Air will function two flights out of the Lagos Airport into Abuja and one into Lagos from    Abuja.

MAX Air on its half mentioned it’s going to have three flights out of Lagos.

NCAA has cautioned home carriers to not violate the phrases of the protocols handed over to them for restart.

Its Director-Normal Captain Musa Nuhu who issued the warning at a webinar coordinated by the authority mentioned: “All stakeholders should meet the protocols set by the NCAA. If you don’t meet, you aren’t granted allow to begin.

”Some airways will likely be given approval to begin. Not all airways and airports will begin.”

Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt Rabiu. Yadudu, who spoke on safety on the airports, mentioned: “Now we have closed-circuit televisions throughout our airports.

Final week, FAAN launched new pointers for air travellers and different airport customers. The brand new Customary Working Process (SOP) is aimed toward defending all stakeholders and stopping additional unfold of Covid-19.

In keeping with its spokesperson, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu: “All passengers should arrive on the airport correctly kitted with their face masks on.

“They need to additionally guarantee a minimal of 1.5 meters bodily distance.

Aviation Medical/Port Well being personnel would display screen every passenger and guarantee the usage of face masks.

“Hand sanitisers could be supplied for passengers earlier than entrance, on the ready halls/lounges and pre-boarding gates, all footwear could be disinfected and sanitised by foot mats   positioned in any respect entrances to the terminal constructing.”