The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Monday reminded aviation authorities of the restriction of helicopter ferry flight over Abuja metropolis for security reasons.
The directive which came on the heels of the closure of Abuja Airport requires that all passengers from Kaduna do so by road, for security reasons. Only helicopters with the right security clearance from the presidency will be allowed to fly within Abuja airspace.
A reminder which was issued to regulatory stakeholders through a memo titled “Restriction of Helicopter Ferry Flights Over Abuja Metropolis” stated that: “In view of the closure of the (Abuja) airport, air travellers will be required to travel by road/train to Abuja from Kaduna International Airport. This will undoubtedly cause constraints on the movement of some passengers who will aim to travel using other means, notably the use of commercial ferry helicopters.
“Please be reminded that the airspace over the Federal Capital Territory Abuja is controlled and only security flights or those with the requisite security clearance from the residency are granted overhead clearance for obvious security reasons. Consequently, you are to note and ensure that no charter or commercial helicopter ferry flights are allowed to fly within Abuja airspace.”
Recall that Abuja’s airport has been shut for six weeks, beginning from last week Wednesday, the 8th of March. This is to allow for the construction of a new run giving the obsolete state of the existing one. Following the closure, all flights are now to land at the Kaduna airport, while arrangements are in place to convey passagers by road.
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