The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, says the aviation industry has lost over N17 billion on a monthly basis since  due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, since their operations were grounded, as part of efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

The minister noted that the sector is highly regulated and very co-ordinated and has set standards that must be followed at all times, regardless, because it speaks to safety.

This, according to him, would mean that “we will not be able to open up after closing for several weeks and perhaps for some months”.

“We are in very difficult moments like everyone else. All of this started because someone travelled and unfortunately came back home with it and the consequence is what we’ve been going though.

“We are the worst hit, than any other sector. Some N17 billion monthly is being lost by the airlines,” the minister said during the Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja on Wednesday.

“There are safety issues and concerns. Those airplanes have been kept and when we are going to bring them back into service, we will have to ensure that they are airworthy and that they can make those flights safely,” he added.

“So also, for the flight crew, they have certain standards they must conform with. They have licencing issues which will fall due for recurrency to be done within this period, so what do u do with them.