COVID-19: ‘Several Airlines Won’t Come Out of This Unfortunately’ -Aviation Minister

• COVID-19: ‘Several Airlines Won’t Come Out of This Unfortunately’ -Aviation Minister

Following the Federal Government’s decision to extend flight suspension by another four weeks, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Siriki, has said many of the local airlines will not get out of this COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Wednesday, he puts the sector monthly losses at N17 billion.

He said “Certainly in civil aviation, we’re in very difficult moments like everyone else…but we are worst hit than any other sector. Some N17bn monthly is being lost by the Airlines to COVID-19.”

“This is the situation of civil aviation. It is really a pathetic one and I can guarantee you that several airlines won’t come out of this unfortunately.”

“To open up and start business as usual, there are safety issues and concerns. Those airplanes have been kept, and when we see going to bring them back into service, we will ensure their worthiness.

“For the flight crew, there are certain standards they must conform to, like ensuring they are up to date with their licensing. Their medical health and proficiency in order to conduct a very dare flight must be ascertained.

“There are also other issues like the state safety programmes that must be adhered to and there are other safety protocols for the COVID-19 which must be adhered to which include the social and physical distancing, use of masks, washing of hands.”