Airlines resume catering services on Nigeria’s domestic routes

Nigeria’s domestic flight operators have resumed in-flight catering services that were initially suspended in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A statement announcing the resumption of in-flight catering services on domestic routes was issued by the nation’s Ministry of Aviation after the weekly media briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 recently.

The Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the decision was taken after careful consideration of the businesses involved in the provision of in-flight refreshments that have been adversely affected by the suspension.

He, however, said that modalities and protocols for the resumption of the services would be worked and rolled out by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which will be in line with international practices.

Sirika also reiterated the plan to resume international flight operations at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, and the Port Harcourt International Airport.

According to him, members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 will be visiting the airports for simulation exercises to ascertain their readiness for international operations.

The Minister also informed that a technical working group comprising of agencies involved in the facilitation of passengers has been set up to ensure that all standards required for seamless operations at the airports earmarked for resumption of international flights.

On the suspension of Emirates Airlines operations in Nigeria, Senator Hadi Sirika said discussions were on to resolve the issues involved, even as he restated the country’s position on the impropriety of the extra Covid-19 tests the airline was demanding of Nigerian travellers.