Nigeria to reopen for international flights

By Ishaq Khalid

The Nigerian government has announced that it will reopen the country’s airspace for international passenger flights from the 29 August.

Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika tweeted that the flights’ resumption will begin with the country’s major airports in the capital, Abuja, and the commercial hub, Lagos. 

The minister said details of "protocols and procedures will be announced in due course":

“Glad to announce the resumption of international flights from the 29th of August, 2020. Beginning with Lagos and Abuja as we did with the domestic flight resumption. Protocols and procedures will be announced in due course. We thank you for your patience.”

Nigerian airports were closed for international passenger flights in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The resumption of international flights is part of the gradual reopening of Africa’s largest economy. Domestic flights resumed last month.

Nigeria has recorded more than 49,000 cases of coronavirus with more than 36,000 recoveries and 975 deaths.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Reuters