The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has conducted simulation exercises at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to test all the protocols designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at the airports ahead of flight resumption.
The exercise, which began around 8a.m saw passengers go through all the protocols before boarding the Aero Contractor flight at about 11.20a.m.
The flight was operated on a B737 marked NG110, with 51 passengers on board.
The Next Edition recalls that the Nigerian airports had been shut down for over three months to avert the spread of COVID-19. But, the aviation sector seemed set to reopen again.
Our correspondent observed during the simulation exercise a 1.5m physical distance markings, two hand wash areas and bags disinfecting area.
Also, hand sanitisers were placed in strategic locations, even as the Port Health workers were seen taking temperature levels of intending passengers.
Passengers were mandated to follow all protocols at all times.
Speaking on the exercise, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, said: “The flight simulation is to achieve five things. First, it is to maintain physical distance with each other.
“Secondly, it is to wear protective materials such as face masks and face shields. Thirdly, it is to maintain hygiene. Fourthly, it is to clean the area and surfaces and that is a function of the robot itself, apart from identifying the passengers.
“Lastly, it is to also sit in an environment that is clean and hygienic, maintaining physical distancing.
“So, we can board the aircraft decontaminated so we don’t contaminate others. All of the things that have happened here is to ensure we don’t spread COVID-19 19.”
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According to him, the authorities “are ensuring efficient facilitation of passengers so time is not wasted in adopting the new normal.
“We will announce all the protocols again before opening. But, you need to be at the airport three hours ahead of your flight.
“The experience is quite nice. But, it takes a bit of time which is why you will need to be at the airport three hours before your local flight. For international flight, we may do five hours.”
Sirika stated further: “We have demonstrated here in a mock manner a sick person. You saw how the area was condoned off, the sick taken away to safe area and the scene disinfected.
“You saw the health workers in their PPEs come around to evacuate the sick person. All these are to adhere to the new normal he said.
“You also saw that if you are served tea or beverages, you pick it yourself in a disposable cup.
“Everything, for me in this demo exercise, worked very well. We came and began maintaining physical distance right from the outside. All the markings are there, and we respected that.
“During the checking procedure, we were shielded from the check-in officials. We got our boarding passes and during boarding, we detached our boarding passes and dropped the other end without physical contact.
“So, contacts with people have been reduced so we can remain safe.”
On the protocol inside the flight, he said: “There will also be social distancing in the aircraft. But, new ideas are coming on board on how to remain seated to make the carbon economical okay and to ensure we don’t infect each other.
“Those new norms are coming and we will implement them in such a way that flights are profitable. WHO and ICAO have developed protocols of the sitting.”
