The Federal Government has announced extension of the closure of Nigerian airports by two weeks.
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday.
The airports, which were initially shut down as part of efforts to control the spread of coronavirus in the country, were projected to be reopened by April 23, 2020.
The Federal Government had announced closure of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on March 23rd 2020 for one month in the first instance as part of measures to combat the coronavirus scourge.
Sirika explained the new projected date of opening of airport operations is consequent upon the two- week extension of the lockdown by President Muhammadu Buhari.
These were contained in a statement in Abuja on Monday by the Director Public Affairs of the Ministry, James Odaudu.
“As a result of the extension on lockdown by Mr President, it is no longer possible for us to open our airspace and airports for normal operations by the 23rd April, 2020”.
The Minister also explained that the new projected date of reopening is subject to review.
He however appealed to air travellers and all stakeholders in the aviation industry to see the current situation as sacrifices necessary to safeguard the health and well being of the people with the hope the pandemic will be short-lived.
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