British Airways aircraft
*As AON Calls for Clear Economic Recovery Plans for Airlines
The United Kingdom on Monday evacuated third batch of its citizens from Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
UK deployed Boeing B747 British Airways flight, BAW9116 with registration number G-CIVO, which airlifted a total of 213 Britons (including 26 crew members) from Lagos, as part of the country’s repatriation efforts over the COVID19 pandemic.
The plane landed at 13.22 hours (2:22 pm local time) and departed at 14.59 hours (3:59 pm local time), thus making it the third evacuation carried out by the UK government in two days.
According to UK Mission in Nigeria, the fourth repatriation would take place April 22, 2020.
On Saturday, April 18, a BA Boeing 747 airlifted 301 Britons from MMIA at 16.10 hours, while 242 were moved from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on the same day.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing had stated that to be eligible for all flights, primary residence has to be in the UK and that they prioritised helping the most vulnerable and those who have an underlying medical condition placing them at greater risk of serious illness if they contact COVID-19.
The UK mission also said that the nationals would pay under £500 for their seats and that the federal government had assured that people who exceed their authorised visa stays as a result of travel restrictions linked to COVID-19 will not be penalised as over-stayers when they depart.
Meanwhile, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has called for a clear plan by the federal government to help domestic airlines recover from COVID-19 lockdown impact.
AON in a statement signed by its chairman, Captain Nogie Meggison and made available to THISDAY said that as a result of the COVID-19, Nigeria’s aviation sector has recorded an exposure of about 251,000 direct job losses, as confirmed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
“The lockdown is a double blow for the Nigerian economy due to the drop in the price of oil which is the mainstay of the country to below $15, and the negative impact of the “COVID19 Stay at Home order that has virtually suspended all economic activities.
“From the fore going therefore, it is clear that the Nigerian economy and indeed the aviation industry requires urgent government articulation of plans if the jobs of our youths must be preserved post COVID-19,” AON said.
