- Domestic Airlines Resume Abuja Flights Today
As the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja resumes operations today (Wednesday), domestic airlines have released schedules for the route.
The airlines had between March 8 and 9 diverted all Abuja flights to Kaduna airport following the closure of the Abuja airport for rehabilitation, which lasted six weeks.
Med-View Airline, in a statement by the Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager, Mr. Lookman Animashaun, said besides the six daily flights, the flights to Yola, Kano and Maiduguri would be routed through Abuja, which had been the practice.
He said the closure of Abuja Airport brought out the potential of Kaduna International Airport, making the airline to operate daily flight as against the three weekly flights.
“Kaduna has a lot of potential, hence we decided to maintain daily presence there,” he said.
Dana Air, on the other hand, said it would operate five daily flights to Abuja on the opening date.
The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, also said that the airline had been commended by the Kaduna Integrity Group for its exceptional service delivery.
According to the airline, a letter signed by the Chairman, KIG, Abdullai Umar Ladan, stated in part, “The Kaduna Integrity Group wishes to appreciate Dana Air for its contribution to peace, tourism and security during the renovation of the Abuja and Kaduna airport. We thank you for your contribution to the success of the exercise and we are exceedingly grateful.’’
Air Peace also said flight operations would resume Wednesday, and commended travellers for keeping faith with the airline.
The airline, in a statement signed by its Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah, also commended the Federal Government and the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for ensuring timely completion of the repairs of the facility.
Arik Air also said it would be resuming scheduled flight operations to Abuja from Wednesday with the Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, saying that the airline was pleased that the Federal Government had fulfilled its promise to reopen the airport on schedule.