Abuja Airport Closure: Helicopters Can Now Fly Into Abuja Airport – FG

By Victor Ernest

Minister of State for Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika says helicopters can now fly in and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

The minister stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday.

Policy reversal

He said that the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) would soon issue a statement reversing its earlier directive banning the helicopters from the airport.

According to the minister, the NSA has the constitutional responsibility vested on him to advise the President on National security matters.

He stated that the NSA has on Wednesday morning declared that helicopters can continue to fly to Abuja airport from ”wherever”; adding that the helicopters operators would however be given guidelines for their operations.

Alternative to British Airways

He disclosed that Nigeria would provide alternative flights to London and other European countries if the British Airways and other foreign airlines continue to reject Kaduna airport during the six weeks closure of Abuja Airport.

According to him, Nigerian officials are still in talks with the foreign airlines to patronise Kaduna International airport.

The minister said that everything needed for safety and reliability in Kaduna airport had been provided, adding that ”there is no need for any airline to refuse to do business in Kaduna.”

Sirika also disclosed that arrangements had reached advanced stage by a private aircraft to run Kaduna-London and other international routes daily.