The Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Captain Musa Nuhu, has disclosed that airlines are 94.44% prepared; Domestic airports are 87 %; Ground Handlers 75%; Aviation Security >75%; while Air Traffic Organisations(ATOs) and Approved Maintenance Organisations(AMOs) are both above average.
Making his presentation, in a Zoom webinar organised by the NCAA General Manager –Air Operator Certification and Surveillance, Engr. Godwin Balang, while speaking on aviation industry preparedess, noted that Air Navigation Service Provider (NAMA) is 91% prepared in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port-Harcourt, Owerri and Uyo Airports; while NiMet is 93% prepared in the six airports.
For Domestic Airports preparedness, he said that Lagos (MMIA GAT & MM2) are both 92.85%, Kano 89%, Port-Harcourt 85%, Abuja, 89%, Uyo 82% while Owerri is the weakest link with 78%.
“Airlines should be deliberate on how it will manage risk in this period, it should not be reactive but proactive. Risk assessment should be based on actual content and I implore all to use the guidelines as reality and put them into practice.
“We should get our minds ready for the worst tomorrow, we have issued guidelines but we should go with the mind that it will be rowdy tomorrow so that we do our risk mitigation around that”, he said.
The NCAA DG on his part, noted that the Authority will do its best to control the crowds at the terminals especially the Lagos airport, and urged airlines to provide their schedule to NAMA to avoid delays in landing.
Speaking on enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines inside the aircraft, he stated that it is the duty of the airlines, as NCAA is only there to monitor.
Responding to a comment on flight delays, he noted that flight delays are inevitable, as no operator wants to delay a flight, adding that they work to minimize delays.
On his part, the Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Captain Fola Akinkuotu, revealed that the agency wrote to all airlines to submit possible schedule but only Azman,Arik and Max Air responded, noting that the low response makes it difficult to plan on flight sequencing and frequency.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria(FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu, noted that they don’t intend to have their lounges filled up, adding that they are trying to maintain a capacity that will be 100 percent in the terminal.
“We are working to expand the Lagos airport, to fix issues there and we will ensure that there is no issues in Lagos”, he stated.
In his brief comment, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Managing Director, Arik Air while noting that COVID-19 has impacted the aviation industry on a scale it has not seen before, urged everyone to remain prepared to continue to learn and adapt as they go.
Dr.Samson Fatokun- of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) noted that many nations are watching Nigeria to see how the country will fare with this reopening, adding that compliance of all stakeholders to protocols is important.
