The director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, has attributed the reason for the postponement of resumption of domestic flights to aviation industry’s non-adherence to the current public health reality.
The director general, who stated this at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja yesterday, said the June 21 date initially fixed for the resumption of domestic flights was no longer feasible until it becomes safe for everyone.
“The civil aviation authority despite all pressures coming from all quarters will not approve the start of operations any date until we are sure and (can) confirm that we are ready to start in a safe, secure, organise and efficient manner.
“We are not too far, we are close but there is a need for time to ensure that we are absolutely ready to start work.
“The aviation system is a very complex system and this complex system has been compounded by the public healthcare concept which the aviation sector is not used to implementing,” he said.
He said the aviation industry would not be a vector for the mass transmission of the COVID-19 virus.”
“Now, we have to develop and implement these systems to ensure that the aviation industry is not a vector for mass transmission of the coronavirus,” he said.
He said the industry was still carrying out safety checks to ensure all aircraft are air-worthy.
“The industry has been grounded for close to three months now and we have to ensure that all aircraft are checked, they are air-worthy, all pilots will have to check their proficiency and ensure that they are updated.
“We have to ensure security at the airports is up to date and so many other areas,” he added.
On the new date for resumption, he said the federal government will consider the new resumption of domestic flights by the end of June.
“On our new proposed date, we are looking towards the end of this month. Hopefully, by mid of next week, we will submit a report through the ministry of aviation to the PTF for review and possibly set a fixed date.
“I know a lot of people are anxious, the industry is anxious, we understand, but to do otherwise will be a great disservice and neglect of our mandate from the government of Nigeria,” Nuhu said.
He further said the sector was in talks with others to ensure a successful and safe commencement of operations.
“We have had about four stakeholder meetings via zoom and we have had feedback from the industry and we will respond to their concerns.
“We have also had lots of inputs from the international organisations like International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), World Health Organisation (WHO), African Union Commission and other international organisations.
“We have to adopt all these because the industry is very complex. Be rest assured that the civil aviation industry will only give the go-ahead when we are ready. Nothing before then,” he said.
