AIRCRAFT in the fleet of indigenous carriers will soon resume operations. But conflict seems imminent. Reason: The contentious issue of the number
The carriers, scheduled to resume operations in five airports-Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Owerri for now, are in a fix as they struggle to comply with new post-COVID -19 guidelines which the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the National Centre For Disease Control issued with regard to health and safety of passengers.
The minister had said: “Only 50 or 70 per cent of the passengers should be taken. These are some of the things that we have been looking at.The minister said consultations had been on and would continue between the ministry and industry stakeholders on the best ways to operate profitably while at the same time ensuring the safety of travellers.
According to him, if middle seats would be removed in order to enforce the physical distancing suggestion, it would be done in a safe and secure manner. His words: “On board an aircraft, physical distancing will be quite taxing, except the aircraft will be configured to all first-class seats for economic operations.”
He said: “Authorities have reeled off things and these things come with a huge cost. How will airlines manage that and pay about 37 charges? DANA Air, which had earlier announced that it will leave the middle seat on board its aircraft unoccupied said it has not jettisoned the plan. The Geneva-based IATA said physical distancing measures on planes would “fundamentally shift the economics of aviation.”
IATA said available evidence so far, though limited, suggests that the risk of virus transmission on a plane was already low. “Screening, face coverings and masks are among the many layers of measures that we have recommended. Leaving the middle seat empty, however, is not the best option.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID-19: We may return to total lockdown - Ekiti govt - Daily Post NigeriaThe Ekiti State government has threatened to return the state to a total lockdown following perceived lackadaisical attitudes being exhibited towards the
Read more »
Washington troops hit with coronavirus after protestsMembers of the Washington DC national guard have tested positive for coronavirus in the wake of their deployment during recent protests in the US capital, the guard said Tuesday.
Read more »
Cyprus Welcomes First Tourist Flights Since MarchCyprus Welcomes First Tourist Flights Since March
Read more »
On-board protocol: Delta blocks middle seats, as Emirates resumes flightsAs airlines globally mull physical distancing on-board as they reopen, Delta yesterday hinted on continuing to block the selection of middle seats and capping seating in every cabin through Sept. 3…
Read more »