Abuja airport closure: Local airlines step in as international carriers fear passenger safety
Abuja airport will be shut for six weeks to allow repairs on its “expired” runway.
The Nigerian government said Abuja-bound flights would land in Kaduna and passengers would be driven by buses, escorted by heavily armed security personnel, to the FCT.
International carriers, despite assurances of safety from the police, insist they won’t risk flying Abuja-bound passengers via Kaduna Airport.
Canada advised its citizens not to fly Abuja via Kaduna.
Local carriers are, however, taking the opportunity to make quick business. Nigeria’s largest carrier, Arik Air, said it would do more business along the Lagos-Kaduna route.
“Arik Air has released a new schedule for its Kaduna operations following the planned closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from March 8, 2017, and the diversion of traffic to Kaduna Airport,” the airline said in a statement on Monday.
“Arik Air will be operating three daily flights between Kaduna and Lagos and one daily flight between Kaduna and Accra, Ghana during this period.
“Other destinations to be serviced by the airline from Kaduna are Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Sokoto, Gombe, Yola and Enugu, which will have one daily flight each.
“The new schedule will be operated for six weeks when the Abuja Airport is closed to traffic,” the statement read.
Some international carriers are, however, partnering with their local competitors to ease travel during the maintenance closure.
