June 21 Not Feasible for Flights Commencement Says FG

The Federal Government on Thursday said the June 21 assumed for the commencement of local flight operations is no longer feasible.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made the statement through the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Musa Nuhu, at a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.

In the address, Nuhu said, “We never said aviation is going to start definitely on June 21.

“We are supposed to report back based on what we have. We have some work to do and as such June 21 is not a feasible date to resume domestic operations.

“The civil aviation authority, despite pressures coming from all quarters, will not approve the start of operations any day until we are sure and confirm that we are ready to start in a safe, secured, organised and efficient manner.”

He added, “To do otherwise will be disastrous for all of us. God forbid, if we have an incident, I believe the government will come hard on us and it is going to be counter-productive and disastrous for the industry.

“We are not too far; we are close, but there is need for time so that we are positively and absolutely ready to start work.”

Nuhu explained that the NCAA was looking at the end of this month but that decision would be after they submit their report through the Federal Ministry of Aviation to the PTF for review.

On the same date, the Senate also caution the Federal Ministry of Aviation against declaring the sector open this Sunday given the rising number of new COVID-19 cases.