By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has announced that only five airports, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos will be reopened when flight operations resume on Saturday, June 21.
Other domestic airports that would be allowed to operate later this month include the Omagwa International Airport, Port Harcourt; Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja; Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri; and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano.
According to a circular by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), asides the five selected airports, all others will remain closed for further assessment.
The memo further revealed that Nigeria’s airspace remains closed to international flights.
Other airports are expected to be gradually added to the network after review and assessment.
A notice signed by the Director-General, NCAA, Mr Musa S. Nuhu, following the announcement the second phase easing of the COVID-19 lockdown stated that, “The closure of Nigerian airports to domestic flights has been extended to 2300Z on the 20th June 2020.
“The gradual start of domestic flight operations will commence on 21st June 2020 with Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano, Omagwa International Airport, Port Harcourt and Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri.
“Other airports will be gradually added to the network after a review and assessment.
“All flights to any airport outside the above five listed airports above shall comply with the existing COVID- 19 protocols for approvals.
“The closure of Nigerian airports to international flights will continue until a date of resumption is announced.
“Emergency and essentials flights are exempted from this restriction and shall comply with the existing COVID-19 protocols for approvals.”
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka