Airlines, travelers take to the sky as flights resume

*Half the normal pre-outbreak number expected

*FAAN warns passengers of delay at airports

Nigeria will today open its airports, particularly the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and the  Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to travellers as part of the first phase of ease on domestic travel.

It is the latest in the nation’s efforts to revive an economy slammed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Other airports like the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Port-Harcourt International Airport, Port-Harcourt and the Sam Mbakwe cargo Airport, Owerri will resume operations at a later date.

Airlines said they are excited that they will be receiving the first passenger air operations today after the airports were closed for more than three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic .

An airline operator who pleaded anonymity said from its reservation, they are scheduled to operate to Abuja from Lagos, adding that  hundreds of people look up to the trips to see their families, loved ones and to do businesses.

He said only about half the normal, pre-outbreak number of flights were will operate on Wednesday, with only three-quarters of seats on planes expected to be filled.

 Flights resumption today comes at a challenging time after nearly four months of closed borders and grounded flights

Woleshadarenews’ visit to both the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 privately run by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) and the domestic airport one christened General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Lagos, travel experts said air travel remains at multi-decade low as many would-be travelers fear catching the virus.

Operators at both MMA2 and GAT have complied with all the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols regarding provision of adequate facilities for travelers.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reached 95 per cent compliance level while BASL, operators of MMA2 have equally met all the conditions for re-opening.

At both terminals, many workers were seen late Tuesday putting finishing touches to new facilities that would help social distancing while many security officers were seen holding security drills.

Airline officials from Air Peace, Aero Contractors were perfecting check-in procedure simulation as they prepare to welcome passengers.

The domestic airport terminals are wearing new looks preparatory to welcoming travelers.

 At the domestic airport One, a new facility had been erected shortly before entrance into the terminal where intending passengers would be screened as domestic travelers are expected to arrive three hours before check in.

Spokeswoman for FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu told our correspondent that the Federal Government has invested heavily in health and safety measures and is ready to welcome travelers who’ve been grounded in their homes for months.

According to Yakubu, “You have seen the procedure, you have seen the protocols. We are working hand in hand with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and we also got an advisory circular by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).”

“All of those procedure and protocols we put in place, if the members of the public do not adhere to them, they are good as useless. Our request is for members of the public as they come to the airport, they should please adhere to all of these procedures.

“They are for their own good and safety and also for us to stop the spread of COVID-19. That is why we put all these procedures in place. We factored in safety of stakeholders and workers around the airport. Those things are not to waste anybody’s time. We expect total compliance from everybody”, she added.

Yakubu warned passengers to expect delays and long hours of checks and re-checks from when they arrive the airport until they depart.

She said noted escorts of VIPs would no longer be allowed to follow their principals into the terminal.

“We are going to expect flight delays, flights will experience delays from checks and re-checks. If you are travelling, I will expect a potential traveler to leave home hours before his flight. Why do I say this?

“Because there is going to be a lot of checks in the front of the terminal we have been told that some may activities and procedures will take place in front of the terminal. So air travelers are expected to leave home very early so that they can get to the airport on time,” Yakubu said.

Wole Shadare