Nigeria: FG orders airlines to fly 50-70% capacity as domestic ops resumes June 21
This is just as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has released some guidelines which takes effect on resumption of operations to protect from a further spread of the dreaded virus.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made the announcement at Monday’s briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVD-19 in Abuja stating that most airlines’ aircraft were currently undergoing servicing and maintenance in preparation for the resumption date for domestic flights.
He said, “The modality of operations by airlines and the passenger numbers will certainly drop and the load factor will also drop. “Only 50 or 70 per cent of the passengers should be taken. These are some of the things that we have been looking at.” The minister said domestic flights, which had been suspended since March as one of the measures to control the spread of Covid-19, were getting set to resume at the nation’s airports again.
He explained that the resumption of flights would be premised on the implementation of the approved protocols for safe operations of the airlines.
Sirika stated that the three-week period between now and the resumption date would enable operators to adhere to all the necessary industry regulations, without which they would not take to the skies after being dormant for some time. “This is because aviation, unlike other sectors, is a highly regulated sector,” he said.
The minister said consultations had been on and would continue between the ministry and industry stakeholders on the best ways to operate profitably while at the same time ensuring the safety of travellers.
On the procedures in place for flight operations, the airport authority says it has established a coordination and monitoring team that would ensure the smooth take off of passenger facilitation consisting operations departments, Aviation security, safety and environment department.
According to the procedure, “all passengers must arrive properly kited with their face masks on and must ensure a minimum of two meters physical distancing following floor markings, queue ropes and signage.
“Aviation Medical and Port Health personnel would screen each passenger’s temperature and ensure the use of personal protective equipment such as hand gloves.
“All passengers’ luggage to be disinfected before entry into the departure hall and they are required to wash their hands before proceeding into the halls while sanitizers would be provided for their use before entrance, at the waiting halls and pre-boarding.”
” Foot wears will be disinfected, sanitized by foot mats place at all entrances of the terminal buildings and passengers would observe physical distancing rule while sitting in the halls. The seats would be clearly marked for usage and non -usage.
” On arrival after disembarkation from the aircraft, passengers would observe physical distancing as they board the buses and hand sanitizers would be provided. Wash hand basins would be provided at the entrance of the arrival hall.”
