By Yunus Yusuf

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has described as untrue, insinuations in some quarters that Nigerian airports would reopen for international flights in October.

It said on the contrary, flights can resume at any time deemed fit by the Federal Government.

Khalid Emele, General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said: “Following the receipt of an All Operators Letter (NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/152) from NCAA, the agency issued an Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) titled “Phased Resumption of Domestic Flights” on July 7, 2020 to the effect that Lagos and Abuja airports will open for domestic flight operations on July 8.

“Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Maiduguri and Uyo open on July 11 and all other airports on July 15, 2020.

“Furthermore, paragraph 9 of the AIC states that the closure of Nigerian airports to all international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights, and scheduled cargo operations with approved summer schedules, will continue until a date of resumption is approved.

He said the notice stated that the Federal Government had extended the closure of the nation’s airports to all international flights with the exception of aircraft in a state of emergency.

According to him, the notice, however, stated that approval may be requested and granted to overflights, operations related to humanitarian aids and medical relief flights.

Others are alternate aerodrome in the flight plan and also those being used for extended diversion time operation, technical landings where passengers do not disembark and cargo flights as well as other safety-related operations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the agency on July 15, 2020, in line with international standards, issued a three-month duration NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) (from July 15 to Oct. 15, 2020).”