The Federal Government has said all airports in the country including private airports and airstrips were now opened for domestic commercial flights.

Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, made this known on Monday during a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.

It was earlier reported that FG reopened 14 local airports when domestic flight operations resumed in July after months of closure occasioned by the lockdown caused 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. So, all airports in Nigeria are now opened for domestic flights including those that are in 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, which I called government-approved airports that are private, the operators should check the safety status with 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 with these kinds of airports regularly with the NCAA which is normal.

“However, all flights out of the country and into the that are private charter will still do need approvals for those kinds of flights including technical stops will be needing approvals.”

Details later…