The federal government has backed out of its earlier decision to ban commercial helicopters shuttling between Abuja and Kaduna.
LEADERSHIP recalls that National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, citing security reasons had directed regulatory agencies not to allow commercial helicopters make use of Abuja’s airspace.
However, speaking to State House correspondents, yesterday, minister of state for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said that the ban had been lifted andthat the procedure for using the airspace will be released before theend of day.
He said, “On the helicopter issue, the national security adviser has the constitutional responsibility vested on him by Mr. President to advice the president on national security matters.
“Within his wisdom, he sent out letters banning the helicopters’ operation into the airport but the national security adviser had earlier this morning said that helicopters will of course continue to fly to Abuja airport from wherever.
“The procedure that they will use to approach the airport under landing spot will be given accordingly before the end of today, which means that helicopters can come into Abuja and out bearing in mind that within the metropolitan city of Abuja, there are no fly zones, and this is very normal in every country.”
According to him, negotiations were ongoing for a Nigerian airline to fly to London daily in order to make up for the airlines that have rejected Kaduna.