By Favour Nnabugwu

THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved that domestic airlines shall serve pre-packed meals, snacks etc in sealed containers to their passengers during disembarkation but passengers are not allowed to consume in-flight.

This was made known in an All Operators Letter (AOL) signed by Director General NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu with Ref: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/312 addressed to Accountable Managers on June 4^th, 2021 titled ‘Public health guidelines for companies providing in flight catering services to airlines operating domestic flights.

The letter read, “Catering Service providers have been identified by the Authority as one of the key service providers to airlines that are required to put in place COVID-19 risk management measures to assure the travelling public that catering products (meals, snacks etc) served on board flights are not a potential source of COVID-19 infection.

“With the resumption of domestic flight operations in the country in-flight catering companies were required by the Authority to carry out regular risk assessments of their operations and put in place remedial actions to address any identified hazard to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 virus to their customers through their products.

“Catering in form of packed meals (food and snacks) can be served on domestic flights by in-flight catering companies who have carried out the appropriate risk assessment and have the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

“Domestic airlines shall serve pre-packed catering products (Meals, snacks etc) in sealed containers to their passengers during disembarkation.  No catering products shall be served or consumed in-flight by airlines or passengers respectively on any domestic flight.

The letter directed, “This AOL supersedes previous AOLs issued on in-flight catering services on domestic flights with respect to COVID-19 restrictions/limitations.

The NCAA stressed that Non-compliance with this AOL shall attract appropriate sanctions.