The Federal Government has said all airports in the country including private airports and airstrips were now opened for domestic commercial flights .
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika , made this known on Monday during a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 in Abuja .
Earlier, FG reopened 14 local airports when domestic flight operations resumed in July after months of closure caused by the lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic .
The government had also approved the reopening of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja as well as the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos for international flight operations which commenced earlier this month .
But speaking on Monday , Sirika said all airports in the country including those in Jalingo , Gombe , amongst others could restart operations .
He said , “ Regarding approvals for flights within the country – domestic approvals . All airports in Nigeria are now open for domestic flights . Private charter operations will no longer need approvals from us to operate within domestic airports in all government -approved airports and in all government – owned airports .
“ However , those airports that are private airports – government -approved airports – the operators should check the safety status with the NCAA (Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ). Such airports like Jalingo , Uyo, Asaba , Gombe , Nasarawa , Damaturu, Osubi , etc.
“ So , you won ’ t need any approvals from the minister but you should kindly check the status of these airports with the NCAA which is normal . ”
“ All flights out of the country and into the country that are private charter will still need approvals including technical stops , ” the minister added .