NCAA Warns Domestic Airlines Against Breaching Covid-19 Protocol

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Monday raised the alarm that some airlines operating domestic flights in the country are breaching the COVID-19 protocol put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

The agency, therefore, warned defaulters to desist from the act or face “severe penalties” including “cancellation of approval to resume domestic operations”.

In a letter directed to local airlines on Monday, the NCAA stated that the resumption of domestic operations was predicated on compliance with COVID-19 protocol put in place by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

The letter was titled, ‘Non-Compliance With COVID-19 Protocol’ and signed by NCAA Director-General, Capt Musa Nuhu.

It reads, “It has been brought to the notice of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority that some domestic airline operators have not been complying with the COVID-19 protocol as released through All Operators Letter (AOL) DG 035/20 ref. NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/260 dated 4th September, 2020 and Advisory Circular (AC) NCAA-AC-AMS-006 dated 4th September, 2020.

“Approvals for resumption of domestic operations are predicated on compliance with the above protocol.

“This is a warning to all domestic operators who are not in compliance to desist from such acts immediately.

“The continued non-compliance with the COVID-19 protocol will attract severe penalties up to and including cancellation of approval to resume domestic operations. Please be guided accordingly.”

The Federal Government had reopened 14 local airports when domestic flight operations resumed in July after months of closure caused by the lockdown occasioned by the pandemic.

The government subsequently said all airports in the country including private airports and airstrips were opened for domestic commercial flights.

It also reopened the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja as well as the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for international flights which commenced earlier this month.

The government had warned that airlines operating international flights that failure to comply with the COVID-19 protocol would attract a fine of $3,500 per passenger while passengers who fail to comply would be suspended from travelling for six months.