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ASKY boss defends airline ban by NCAA over EBOLA VIRUS

   
ASKY has expressed shock at the suspension of all its operations into Nigeria by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the orchestrated death of an Ebola virus victim who came into the country from Liberia.

According to the Director General of ASKY Airlines, Yissehak Zewoldi, the flight restriction was seriously affecting passengers within the region.

He therefore urged NCAA to reconsider its position on suspending ASKY airline’s operations into Nigeria.

He said since the initial outbreak of the Ebola virus in Guinea Conakry last February, and the recent spread in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the airline was highly concerned and has taken measures to avoid further spread.

He disclosed that he had written to the Director General of NCAA twice already on the measures taken so far and the airline's full commitment to closely work with all authorities, governments and organizations in the region on the fight against the spread of the disease.

He noted that ASKY was determined to keep its passengers and staff safe during this unsettling time, adding that the carrier was following the situation closely and would issue updates as the situation changes.

According to him, "Considered to be the biggest carrier with a very large network within the West and Central Africa region, the carrier has constantly followed up all developments in collaboration with airport authorities, the World Health Organization - WHO, Ministries of Health and the Civil aviation to implement collective preventive measures against the spread of this deadly disease – Ebola in suspected areas.
Implemented sanitary items such as gloves, antiseptic liquids, etc. Strict control of the transportation of perishable goods and food items
"The management of ASKY airlines received with great astonishment from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority – NCAA this 28 July 2014, the decision to stop all operations into Nigeria, precisely Lagos and Abuja."
In both letters sent to the Director General of NCAA, the airline clearly pointed out all measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus in collaboration with the local civil aviation authority in Lome – Togo.
These measures include;
·        ASKY has suspended all flights to Sierra Leone and Liberia
·         ASKY has stopped uplifting food at Conakry
·         ASKY passengers departing from Conakry are screened for signs of the virus    before boarding.
·         Medical professionals have been deplored with full presence at the airports in Lome, in collaboration with the Togolese Ministry of Health, the Civil Aviation Authorities and airport authorities
·         ASKY has fully distributed sanitary materials including gloves, disinfectant liquids, respiratory and mouth nets, to all crew members and ground operations staffs, in order to prevent any contamination.

This traveling restriction is currently seriously affecting passengers within the region and the airline reiterated to NCAA to reconsider its position on suspending ASKY airline’s operations into Nigeria.

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