Government considers reopening Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt airports: Minister

*Minister for Aviation Hadi Sirika also announces the immediate resumption of catering services on domestic flights earlier suspended at the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the country

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

As the Federal Government of Nigeria prepares to visit the airports for simulation exercises to ascertain its readiness for transnational operations, relevant authorities are considering the reopening of three international airports in the country.

Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister for Aviation, disclosed this Monday, March 22 at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja, FCT.

The affected aviation facilities are Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, in Kano State, Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State, and Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State.

The Minister noted that the Federal Government planned to resume international flight operations at the airports.

Members of the Task Force will be visiting the airports for simulation exercises to ascertain their readiness for international operations, said Sirika.

According to him, a technical working group comprising relevant agencies involved in the facilitation of passengers had been set up to ensure that all standards required for seamless operations at the airports earmarked for the resumption of international flights were in place.

He as well announced the immediate resumption of catering services on domestic flights which were suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that the decision was taken based on the consideration of the businesses involved in the provision of in-flight refreshments, which have been adversely affected by the suspension since last year.

The Minister said that modalities and protocols for the resumption of the services would be worked and rolled out by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which would be in line with international practices.