COVID-19 Re-emergence Won't Disrupt Nigeria's Aviation

Experts, including Dr. Richard Aisuebeogun, former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), have stated that the recent re-emergence of COVID-19 will not disrupt aviation and flight operations in Nigeria.

They highlighted that the world has learned from the pandemic, particularly the significant disruptions experienced during the 2019-2020 outbreak. Aisuebeogun noted that the aviation industry and public health sectors must manage the situation without allowing it to disrupt economic activities.

He emphasized the need for a risk-based framework that allows for continued air travel while implementing targeted health protocols based on real-time data. The Federal Ministry of Health is expected to strengthen airport health management systems to ensure efficient operations without unnecessary bottlenecks.

Aisuebeogun also called for inter-agency coordination to ensure consistent policy implementation and to avoid panic among stakeholders, particularly airlines and airport operators. He reiterated that the re-emergence of COVID-19 should be viewed as an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate resilience and maturity in managing public health while sustaining aviation economic stability.