*Emirates Shuts Down Passenger Service March 25 as Turkish Reschedules Flights
*Cargo Flights for Medical Supplies Part of Emergency, Essential Flights
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has reacted to the decision of many countries to close their borders to passenger flight operations and has urged states to review all restrictions to flight operations, existing or planned to ensure that they are appropriate, taking into account the need to facilitate operations to the extent possible.
In a statement signed by the ICAO Secretary General, Fang Liu and titled, Implementation of Contingency Arrangements to Reduce the Risks of the Spread of COVID-19, the world body said special attention should be given to the facilitation of entry, departure and transit of aircraft engaged in relief flights “as per Annex 9 — Facilitation Standard 8.8, in light of the urgent need to ensure sustainability of the global air cargo supply chain enabling notably to maintain the availability of equipment such as ventilators, masks and other health and hygiene-related goods, which are necessary to assist in reducing the public health risk of the spread of COVID-19.”
“I have the honour to refer to the urgent need to reduce the risks of the spread of COVID-19 by air transport and to protect the health of air travellers and aviation personnel. In this respect, it has come to my attention that a few notices to airmen (NOTAM) do not provide sufficient information on the extent of restrictions to flight operations, the operational impact of aerodrome closures or the reduction of air traffic services.
“In recalling the obligations of States contained in Annex 11 — Air Traffic Services, Section 2.32 Contingency arrangements, concerning the development, promulgation and implementation of contingency plans, I encourage States to review all restrictions to flight operations, existing or planned, to ensure that they are appropriate, taking into account the need to facilitate operations to the extent possible.
“Special attention should be given to the facilitation of entry, departure and transit of aircraft engaged in relief flights as per Annex 9 — Facilitation Standard 8.8, in light of the urgent need to ensure sustainability of the global air cargo supply chain enabling notably to maintain the availability of equipment such as ventilators, masks and other health and hygiene-related goods, which are necessary to assist in reducing the public health risk of the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Saturday it restricted cargo operations as well as passenger service with effect from the midnight of today, but the Director of Consumer Protection, NCAA, Adamu Abdullahi, told THISDAY that cargo operation for essential supplies like medicals would be part of the emergency and essential flights as noted by the regulatory body’s earlier statement, but with ICAO call for a review, Nigeria might have to look at the issue again.
ICAO also urged states to review their flight restriction plans and consider the provision of air traffic services (ATS) and aerodrome services to the following operations: aircraft in a state of emergency; over flights and operations related to humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights.
Meanwhile, world’s mega carrier, Emirates has announced that it would suspend passenger flight service from March 25, 2020,
The Dubai based carrier issued a statement yesterday and explained that it would retain cargo operations, but temporarily suspends most passenger operation by the aforementioned date.
It also stated that its subsidiary, dnata, would also significantly reduce operations, including temporary closure of operations at some international locations where demands is low.
“Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, Emirates and dnata have been adapting operations in line with regulatory directives as well as travel demand. The airline has aimed to maintain passenger flights for as long as feasible to help travellers return home amidst an increasing number of travel bans, restrictions, and country lockdowns across the world. It continues to maintain vital international air cargo links for economies and communities, deploying its fleet of 777 freighters for the transport of essential goods including medical supplies across the world,” Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said.
He also said, “Having received requests from governments and customers to support the repatriation of travellers, Emirates will continue to operate passenger and cargo flights to the following countries until further notice, as long as borders remain open, and there is demand: the UK, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, USA, and Canada. The situation remains dynamic, and travellers can check flight status on emirates.com,” the Chairman said.
In another development, Turkish Airlines said in a statement yesterday that following the announcement of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to shut down international flight operations at the Lagos and Abuja airports in the midnight of Monday, it has rescheduled its flights meant for Tuesday to be accommodated on Monday.
THISDAY
