All of Nigeria’s operating domestic airports opened to flights Wednesday, July 15. The opening of domestic airlines follows the Federal Government’s relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which saw the country’s airspace completely locked down, allowing only emergency and courier flights. Flight restrictions were relaxed on July 8 when operations opened in Lagos and Abuja airports. Further airport reopenings took place in Owerri, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt and Kano airports on Saturday, July 11.
Reopening of all operating airports in the country marks the near total relaxation of travel restrictions in the country, as land movements were fully allowed beginning June 30. There is still, however, a 10pm to 4am curfew which restricts movement. International flight operations in and out of Nigeria is currently restrained and it is as yet unclear when Nigeria will begin to allow flight operations in and out of the country. It will be noted that a few countries around the world have now allowed international flight operations. The resumption of flight operations is not business as usual as travellers, airport authorities and airline operators have to observe several protocols to stay protected from the COVID-19 pandemic.