The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has released new procedural guidelines for air travellers and other airport users following the approval that flight operations recommence gradually at the nation’s airports effective July 8.

The new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is aimed at protecting all stakeholders and preventing further spread of the Covid-19 virus, according to a statement signed by Henrietta Yakubu, general manager, corporate affairs, FAAN.

The statement said in the ‘New Normal’, departing passengers must comply with the following guidelines: “All passengers must arrive the airport properly kitted with their face masks on. They must also ensure a minimum of one point five metres (1.5m) physical distancing; aviation medical/port health personnel would screen each passenger and ensure the use of face masks; those travelling with pets must get necessary clearance from Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services; all passengers’ luggage would be disinfected before entry into the departure halls.”

It further said passengers are required to wash their hands as often as possible, and hand sanitiser would be provided for passengers before entrance at the waiting halls/lounges and pre–boarding gates.

“All footwear would be disinfected or sanitised by foot mats placed at all entrances to the terminal building, amongst others,” it said.

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For arriving passengers, FAAN said they must adhere to the following guidelines: “On disembarkation from the aircraft, passengers would observe physical distancing as they board the co-buses (hand sanitiser would be provided in thebuses); physical distancing protocols must be observed at the baggage claim area, where hand sanitiser is also provided; disinfected trolleys would be made available for passengers.”

The airports authority said all Covid-19 protocols must be observed while undergoing customs check, and passengers would exit the halls and head straight to the car park for pick–up.

“If you must speak to anyone around, please speak to a properly tagged Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer; physical distancing would be maintained while waiting to be screened by personnel of port health services, amongst others,“ it said.

In addition to the above guidelines, Yakubu said passengers are required to observe social distancing and make use of the floor markings at the security screening area.

She added that passengers must also comply with all other security guidelines as laid down by officials of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) department.

“We urge all our passengers and other stakeholders to respect and observe these necessary protocols put in place for our protection,” she said.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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