The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has disclosed that the ban on all flights will be extended by an additional four weeks.
Mr. Mustapha stated this on Wednesday during the daily briefing by the members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
He said the decision was based on the assessment and advise from experts of the aviation industry to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
“Tomorrow marks the last days for the enforcement of the closure of Nigerians’ airspace to flights.
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“We have assessed the situation in the aviation industry and have concluded that given the facts available to us, and based on the evidence of experts.
“The ban on all flights will be extended by an additional four weeks”, he added.
Similarly, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, at the briefing revealed that the sector has been the worst hit since the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the country.
According to him, airlines have lost nearly N17 billion monthly since their operations were grounded, as part of efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
“We are in very difficult moments like everyone else. All of this started because someone travelled and unfortunately came back home with it and the consequence is what we’ve been going through.
“We are the worst-hit than any other sector, 17 billion naira monthly is being lost by the airlines, thanks to COVID-19,” the minister disclosed.
