Lagos and Abuja airports to resume flights on July 8 with four others to open on the 11th

NIGERIA plans to open the Lagos and Abuja airports for domestic operations on Wednesday July 8 as part of the ongoing programme to ease the coronavirus lockdown and return to normal economic activity.

Last Saturday, journalists covering the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 were taken on dry run test from Lagos to Abuja to witness firsthand the reopening of the aviation sector. As part of the checks, screening was carried out on passengers at the departure lounge and seats, which were usually crowded, have been re-arranged in compliance with the social distancing rule.

Also, inscriptions to further guide passengers, which instructions such as "do not use this seat" and “keep your distance”, were placed on seats. Aviation minister Hadi Sirika, added that Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Maiduguri airports would resume on the July 11 while other airports would follow on July 15.

Mr Hadi said: “I am glad to announce that Abuja and Lagos airports will resume domestic operations on July 8, 2020. Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Maiduguri to resume on the 11th, for other airports it will be on the 15th, while the date for international flights will be announced in due course.”