*Domestic airline operations not affected
* Essential, emergency operations exempted
*Airlines to submit manifest to port authorities
*Scores to be stranded abroad
The Federal Government has directed the closure of Nigeria biggest airports, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
A statement from the Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Musa Nuhu stated that effective Monday, March 23, 2020 to 23rd of April 2020, the two aerodromes will be close to international flights.
He stated that the new measure was in addition to the closure of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Enugu International Airport and the Port-Harcourt International Airport.
He further stated that henceforth, all airports in Nigeria are closed to all incoming international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights, adding that domestic flights will continue normal operations at all airports.
The NCAA chief directed all airlines to ensure they submit passenger manifest to Port Health authorities prior to arrival of flights into Nigeria.
This latest action would effectively lead to agony for Nigerians who had been scheduled to arrive from all over the world next week despite the restriction of flights to 15 countries where the pandemic of coronavirus is very high.
The latest directive will force flights to leave near empty as those still doing skeletal services would be forced to take back their planes to their countries or risk being grounded in Nigeria.
