Mega international airlines based in the United States, Europe, Middle East and other parts of the world have suspended flights operations to Nigeria as the world battles to stem coronavirus spread, Sunday PUNCH has learnt.
This came as the Federal Government announced the closure of Lagos and Abuja airports to international flights from Monday.
As the number of coronavirus cases in Nigeria increased from 12 on Thursday to 22 on Saturday, the FG, through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, said on Saturday it would close Abuja and Lagos airports on Monday.
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The Director-General, NCAA, Capt Musa Nuhu, in a circular to airline operators on Saturday, said only emergency and essential flights would be exempted from the restrictions.
Nuhu, however, said domestic airlines would continue normal flight operations.
The NCAA’s directive came barely 48 hours after it announced the closure of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
The NCAA’s circular read in part, “Further to our earlier letter on restrictions of international flights to Nigeria, we wish to inform you that effective March 23 to April 23, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja will be closed to all international flights.
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“This is in addition to the closure of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, effective March 21.”
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Friday, hinted that all international airports would be closed as part of measures to stop COVID-19 spread.
As of Saturday, there were over 290,000 COVID-19 cases, resulting in over 11,000 deaths globally.
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“This is in addition to the closure of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, effective March 21.”
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Friday, hinted that all international airports would be closed as part of measures to stop COVID-19 spread.
As of Saturday, there were over 290,000 COVID-19 cases, resulting in over 11,000 deaths globally.
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Following the NCAA’s ban on international flights as Nigeria records more coronavirus cases, findings by our correspondents revealed that Lufthansa German Airlines, US-based Delta Airlines, AirFrance, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Middle East-based Emirates, Qatar and Etihad Airlines suspended flights to Nigeria on Friday and Saturday.
While Delta and Turkish Airlines operated their last flights to the MMIA on Friday, AirFrance, KLM among others operated their last flights to the country on Saturday.
British Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic among others are expected to operate their last flights to the country today (Sunday).
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Findings at the MMIA and NAIA revealed that some Nigerians and foreigners were rushing to catch the last flights to the country and out of the country.
Travel operators and airport officials confirmed that the few available flights ahead of the Monday closure were fully booked, explaining that some Nigerians and foreigners had brought their travel date forward to escape the imminent airport closure.
According to findings, passengers have been rebooking their flights since Monday when the FG announced revocation of visas of citizens from 13 countries.
Delta confirmed it had suspended its flights to the country.
The airlines, which operated its last flight to Nigeria on Friday, said in a statement on its website, delta.com, “Delta is suspending its service to Lagos, starting March 20, following government travel restrictions.”
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