It explained that there will be little or no change in the prices of airfares as there were no physical distancing onboard airplanes.
This was revealed during an inspection on the resumption of flight activities from Abuja to Kano and other airports by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Sirika alongside other members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
Kano, Port Harcourt, and Owerri airports resumed operations on Saturday, joining Abuja and Lagos which had resumed on July 8, 2020.
Explaining why physical distancing onboard flights was not mandatory onboard flights, Sirika said, “Because of the nature of the airplane, the aircraft cabin is hygienic enough once you have your mask on.
“So you are safe to remain sitted on your seat and where possible, we will keep the distance. Airplanes are designed in such a way that the ambient air at altitudes is clean. It is not contaminated.”
On airfares, he said, “There is no price increase in airfares because I know that someone travelled at about N30,000, while another person told me it was N25,000 (from Abuja) to Lagos.
“So I want to assume that even if the increase had happened, like I said earlier on during the COVID-19 briefing, it will be minimal that passengers can afford.”
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Explaining the purpose of the inspection, the Minister noted that it was necessary so as to ensure that the airports were opened in accordance with guidelines put in place by Presidential Task Force.
Commenting on the outcome of the inspection, Sirika noted that the aviation authorities had done well by complying with the PTF COVID-19 guidelines, as the airports were safe for operations.
He said the clean ambient air being dropped in the aircraft would be pressurised by up to 200 degrees, killing all forms of bacteria or viruses before being cooled to two degrees.
According to him, this air is thoroughly filtered and released into the aircraft cabin as a pure and safe air for passengers, who must have their face masks on.