Aviation minister Senator Hadi Sirika has said that the Federal Government has extended the closure of airports in Nigeria by two weeks.
A statement in Abuja on Monday by the Director Public Affairs of the Ministry, James Odaudu said the new decision was taken following the lockdown extension on Lagos, Ogun and the FCT.
The Nigerian government had shut airports on 23 March as part of efforts to control the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The airports were projected to be reopened on Thursday, April 23, 2020.
Sirika noted that the new date of reopening airport operations is consequent upon the two- week extension of the lockdown by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“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 statement said.
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 shortlived.
