Airlines propose flights to Lagos over Abuja airport closure
*Set to withdraw services to Kaduna
*FG to commence second runway for Abuja after repairs
Some foreign airlines are contemplating not to operate into Kaduna Airport as rehabilitation of work commences on the total over hauling of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Two of the airlines who spoke to WoleshadareNews on strict condition of anonymity said they are looking at the security measures put in place by government and would consider if they are adequate for the safety of their passengers and crew.
The sources who work for two big European carriers said they are considering sending a proposal to the Federal Government to allow them operate their Abuja flights to Lagos to save them the stress of operating to Kaduna.
They noted that they might be forced to quit operations to Kaduna until the Abuja airport which repairs starts on March 8, 2017 is fixed.
If the carriers withdraw their services from Kaduna, this might lead to huge capacity and influx of passengers to Lagos as seat capacity may not be enough for the teeming passengers except the carriers change to bigger aeroplane to accommodate the travellers.
Experts said this may also disrupt international travel within that period as many from the Northern parts of Nigeria might put on hold their journeys until the Abuja aerodrome is repaired.
The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika had said that the closure of the Abuja airport is proposed to last for six weeks. During the period of closure, Kaduna International Airport shall serve as the alternative.
Following the proposed closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), recently approved N1.1 billion for the repairs of the Kaduna Airport terminal.
According to the minister, “The contractor has accepted to work within that six months.”
Sirika had stated that the imperative to shutdown of the airport for a period of six weeks was as a result of negligence in terms of maintenance of the runway by previous governments, adding that this administration with safety and security as its priority, has decided to face the problem head-on.
He urged the cooperation of all stakeholders to enable them go through this transition period with minimal discomfort.
The runway at Abuja which was constructed in 1982 has exceeded its design lifespan of 20 years which accounts for a number of distressed and failed portions. This situation has reduced the riding quality and safety margin in operating into the airport.
The Minister noted that the continued deterioration of this facility would eventually make operations unsafe, stressing the need to carry out urgent repairs and resurfacing of the existing runway.
Speaking to reporters, President of the umbrella body of all travel agencies operating in Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Bankole Bernard hinted that many international airlines might withdraw their services to Kaduna airport.
He said should the situation arise, the Federal Government should allow them to operate the flights that are supposed to go to Kaduna to Lagos to minimise the pain of air travellers.
His words, “International airlines will never joke with the safety of their passengers. They may want to leave or withdraw their services for six weeks. They have expressed fears that they don’t want to go to Kaduna. This is the best time for Nigerian airlines to partner international carriers to help them distribute passengers to other places from Lagos. Bellview Airlines once did it with Air France and it really worked out.”
The NANTA boss further disclosed that from the meeting he had with Sirika, the Federal Government has concluded plans to start the reconstruction of a second runway for Abuja, which he said was long overdue.
The plan to construct a second runway for Abuja was stalled in 2008 when the Senate at its plenary said the N64 billion contract sum was too high.
The proposed cost of the runway far exceeded the cost of constructing some airports around the country and even abroad.
The Senate noted that the terminal 5 in Heathrow Airport, with four lanes of 4km runway, cost less than N25 billion, while the entire Gombe Airport, with 3.66km runways, cost N8.2 billion.
They said that the Jigawa Airport cost N11 billion, Bauchi Airport, N12 billion, Enugu Airport, N13 billion, while the Akwa Ibom Airport cost about N18 billion.
