By Adelola Amihere
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has clarified further the recent announcement of restriction of international flights.
According to NCAA the directives have been conveyed to all airline operators, warning that the Federal Government of Nigeria will not take kindly to any disregard.
In a press release made available by the Director, Public Affairs, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Mr James Odaudu, the NCAA stated, “Further to the recent announcement of restriction of international flights into Nigeria as announced by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), it has become necessary to make the following clarifications:
Flights considered essential for which permissions for landing may be sought and granted include: Aircraft in a State of emergency, over flights and operations related to humanitarian services, medical and relief services.
“Others are: alternate aerodromes identified in the flight plan (including those used for extended diversion time operations, technical stops where passengers do not disembark, cargo flights and other safety related operations.
It must be noted that, with the exception of aircraft in a State of emergency, request for approval for other flights is required and must directed to the Honourable Minister of Aviation who is the sole authority to grant approval.
“It should be noted also that Protocol for the operation and handling of such flights will be provided with each approval, while flight crew shall not have physical contact with designated government officials and ground workers.
“Meanwhile, all airline operators have been directed to deploy the following measures in order to protect passengers and the general public against the further spread of COVID-19:
I. All persons, without exception, entering any airport terminal (domestic and International) must undergo temperature check and hand cleaning with sanitizers.
II. All passengers, no matter their status, must undergo temperature check and hand sanitization before being allowed to board any aircraft.
III. All airplanes must be disinfected before boarding by passengers.”
All stakeholders have been urged to stick to the directives.
