SIRIKA EMBARKS ON SIMULATION FLIGHTS. ….says Aminu Kano, Maiduguri Airports ready for use

Oru Leonard

The Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika on Saturday said the Kano and Maiduguri airports are safe and ready for operations.

The minister stated this

when he embarked on a simulation return flight to the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano to assess the preparation of the airport for resumption of flights on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

“The purpose of why we are here today is to see that this airport is opened in accordance to the protocols established by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and to assess whether this airport is safe to operate.”

“I am very happy! what I saw is good enough for us to start. I am very glad that the Civil Aviation Authority with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria have done exceedingly well under our watch, to ensure that everything is put in place to ensure physical distancing, good hygiene has been established and being followed. we believe that this airport is one of those that are safe to operate into and out during this Covid-19 period.”

“Maiduguri airports is ready. We will resume our operations normally and all the airports in Nigeria will be ready by the 15th and those that are not ready will be given enough time in order not to risk Peoples lives.”

The minister who responded to concerns on the seating arrangement in aircraft said that the non observance of 2 meters spacing does not pose risk of Civid-19 infection during Flight:

“sitting in an airplane, because of the nature of the airplane, the airplane is hygienic enough once you have your mask, you are safe to remain sited on your seat and where possible, we will keep the distance”, he explained