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The Federal Government has rescinded its decision to ban the use of commercial helicopters between Abuja and Kaduna.
National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd), who had, on Monday, issued the ban, yesterday, said helicopters will continue to fly to Abuja airport from anywhere in the country.
He said the procedure they will use to approach the airport, under landing spot, will be advised, accordingly, before the end of day.
Monguno, in a memo, had said the Abuja airspace is controlled and only security flights or those with permission from the presidency would be allowed to use the airspace.
Minister of State for Aviation, Heidi Sirika, told State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council, yesterday, that the ban has been reversed.
Commercial helicopter companies had offered to provide air transport between the two cities following the closure of the runway of Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport, Abuja, for repairs.
“On the helicopter issue, the National Security Adviser (NSA) has the constitutional responsibility vested on him by Mr. President to advise him on national security matters; within his wisdom, he had earlier on sent out letters banning the helicopters operation into the airport, but the NSA had earlier, this morning (yesterday), said helicopters will continue to fly to Abuja airport from wherever.
“The procedure they will use to approach the airport, under landing spot, will be advised, accordingly, before the end of today (yesterday); which means 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,” Sirika said.