Virgin Atlantic said it will resume flight services to Nigeria from September 10, 2020, barely 11 days after the reopening of the airspace.
The Federal Government had last Monday in Abuja disclosed plans to reopen the international airspace for flight operations on August 29, 2020.
However, airlines can only operate to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, in the first phase of the reopening exercise.
Virgin Atlantic operates daily scheduled services from its base in London to Lagos Airport.
It said it would deploy its Airbus A350-1000 to the Lagos-London route.
The airline, in a statement, said to ensure the health and safety of customers and crew, it would be implementing additional measures to offer peace of mind in the airport and when taking to the skies.
The additional measures, it stated, included enhanced and thorough cleaning practices at check-in, boarding gates and on-board and the use of electrostatic spraying of high-grade disinfectant in all cabins and lavatories before every flight, ensuring no surface is left untouched.
It added that safe distancing would also be adhered to wherever possible, and mask wearing would be required throughout the journey.
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It said that all customers would be provided with a personal health pack for their health and safety, which would contain three medical grade face masks to be worn on-board, surface wipes and hand gel.
It added: “The airline will be offering a simplified hot food service in all cabins, redesigned to limit interaction, enclosed and controlled from preparation in a COVID-safe, monitored environment to the moment it is served. Economy and Premium Economy customers will now enjoy a ‘Fly safe, eat well’ meal box, which incorporates a choice of two hot meals, cheese and biscuits and a dessert pot washed down with a choice of wine, beer, soft drinks and bottled water.
“’Upper Class customers will receive a choice of three hot meals, desserts, including cheese and biscuits and a ciabatta roll, all delivered to their seat on a tray. All customers will receive a second meal service which, on day flights from the UK, includes the delicious Mile High Tea in collaboration with celebrity pâtissier Eric Lanlard.”
Justin Bell, Commercial Manager, Virgin Atlantic, expressed delight at the recommencement of the Lagos-London route by the airline.
Bell said it would always ensure that the health and safety of its passengers and crew remained a top priority, whilst also keeping its signature Virgin spirit.
He stated that its teams had been working tirelessly to implement new measures and evolve customer experience, adding that the airline was looking forward to welcoming customers back on-board.
“The health and wellbeing of our customers and crew is at the centre of all our operations and that includes social distancing at the airport and on-board wherever possible, meticulous cleaning of the aircraft and individual Health Packs for all customers, containing medical grade face masks, hand sanitiser and surface wipes,” he added.
