The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA on Monday says it observed that some airlines operating domestic flights in the country are breaching the protocol put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

The regulatory agency, therefore, warned defaulters to desist from the act or face “severe penalties” including “cancellation of approval to resume domestic operations”.

NCAA also made it clear that the resumption of domestic operations was based on compliance with protocols put in place by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The letter was titled, ‘Non-Compliance With COVID-19 Protocol’ and signed by NCAA director-general, Capt Musa Nuhu.

It read, “It has been brought to the notice of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority that some domestic airline operators have not been complying with the COVID-19 protocol as released through All Operators Letter (AOL) DG 035/20 ref. NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/260 dated 4th September, 2020 and Advisory Circular (AC) NCAA-AC-AMS-006 dated 4th September, 2020.

“Approvals for resumption of domestic operations are predicated on compliance with the above protocol.

“This is a warning to all domestic operators who are not in compliance to desist from such acts immediately.

“The continued non-compliance with the COVID-19 protocol will attract severe penalties up to and including cancellation of approval to resume domestic operations. Please be guided accordingly,” the letter read in part.