The Federal Government has directed all catering services of domestic flights to resume immediately.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja last night.
The catering services were suspended last year following the incursion of the Covid-19 pandemic into the country.
But speaking yesterday, Sirika said the decision to resume catering services on domestic flights became necessary as the businesses involved in the provision of in-flight refreshments have been adversely affected by the suspension.
He, however, noted that that modalities and protocols for the resumption of the services would rolled out by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and would be in line with international practices.
The minister 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 would be visiting the airports for simulation exercises to ascertain their readiness for international operations.
Sirika also stated that a technical working group comprising of agencies involved in the facilitation of passengers had been set up ahead of the planned resumption of international operations at the facilities.
He said the working group would ensure that all standards required for seamless operations at the airports were put in place for the resumption of international flights.
On the suspension of Emirates Airlines operations in Nigeria, Sirika said discussions were on to resolve the issues involved.
He, however, restated the country’s position on the impropriety of the extra Covid-19 tests the airline was demanding of Nigerian travellers.
