Nigeria: International Flights Resumption Postponed Till September 5 Due To Non-Aeronautical Logistics

The Federal Government of Nigeria has moved the resumption of International flight in Nigeria from August 29th to September 5th, 2020 due to non-aeronautical logistics gaps.

The Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority [NCAA], Capt. Musa Nuhu disclosed this today during the media briefing by the Presidential Task Force [PTF] on Covid-19.

He explained that the initial announcement was anytime from August 29th but the new date of September 5th is sacrosanct.

According to the director-general, “Since the announcement by the honourable minister of aviation a few weeks ago that international flights will resume anytime from the 29th of August, the aviation sector has worked assiduously to be ready for this date.

“The aviation sector including the airports is ready to resume on the 29th. However, we have other non-aviation logistics we are still working on, mostly to do with the COVID-19 protocols, tests, and online platforms. We need to get this in place so that we will have a smooth and efficient resumption of international flights without difficulties for all the passengers.

“So, for this reason, unfortunately, I have to let you know that the resumption date has been shifted by one week to the 5th of September which is now a sacrosanct date. The initial announcement was anytime from August 29. Now we have fixed a date – 5th of September to ensure that resumption of international flights.” Nuhu said.

The DG also mentioned that the country is pushing ahead with the implementation of the principle of reciprocity against the nationals of some countries that are imposing stringent traveling conditions on Nigerian citizens on the bases of COVID-19 cases in the country.

“A comprehensive list of the affected countries will be released to the public alongside the COVID-19 protocols soon,” Nuhu concluded.

…FAAN Hikes Passenger Service Charge By 100 Percent

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria [FAAN] has disclosed a plan to increase Passenger Service Charge [PSC] by 100 percent.

The new charge according to the agency will take effect from September 1st, 2020.

With the new charge, domestic passengers who used to pay N1000 will now pay N2000 while international passengers within the ECOWAS region will pay $80 and others $100.

The agency explained the increment was imperative in view of the loss recorded in the aviation sector.

According to it, its current revenue was down by 95percent, hence the need to review the passenger charge.

Managing Director of FAAN, Cap. Rabiu Yadudu disclosed these on Thursday during a press briefing.

He said: “Airport management is capital intensive. FAAN has not increased Passenger Service Charge [PSC] since 2011, despite all the huge capital investments at our airports.

“This increase is just a matter of necessity. If it is not necessary for us to increase, you will never see this increase.

“Secondly, our revenue is down by over 95percent. FAAN is a service delivery agency and if you are delivering service and your revenue is down by 95percent, what do you do?

“You will do whatever you can legitimately to continue to deliver the service with the same level of quality.

“The increase of PSC does not even assure or guarantee us that we will be back to normal but it is just the beginning.

“This is just one aspect of the necessity because we need to survive and keep delivering and that is why we are increasing it.”

On the timing of the increment, he said: “You have to understand that almost every aspect of our operation is business and in this modern-day, it is relative.

“If you look at it from the aspect of the passengers and airlines, it is clearly not the most appropriate time but if you look at it from the point of view of the service providers that are about to be consumed by the pandemic and the economic situation, then there is no better time for FAAN than this time because it would have been worse if we just sit down and fold our arms.”