The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA has extended the closure the five major International Airports in Nigeria to forestall the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the aviation sector.

The stringent measure was contained in a letter signed by its Director General, Captain Musa S. Nuhu and dated 21st March 2020.

The statement with Ref. No: NCAA/DG/AIR/1 1/16/106 was directed to all Nigerian operators and foreign operators flying into Nigeria for immediate compliance.

Nuhu said the affected five International Airports shall remain closedown for another two weeks starting from 23rd of April to May 2020, believing the scourge of the COVID-19 would have been nipped in the bud by then.

Part of the statement read thus: “We wish to inform you that the closure of the five International airports namely, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (DNMM), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA), Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (DNKN), Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt (DNPO) and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu (DNEN) has been extended for a further two weeks, effective 23rd April 2020 at 2300Z to May 2020 at 2300Z.

“Henceforth, all airports in Nigeria are closed to all international flights except for emergency and essential flights.”