The Federal Government has lauded domestic airlines for increasing flights to Kaduna Airport, following the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, gave the commendation while speaking with newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday.
“We are glad that we are doing this; it will be for six weeks and we hope to achieve the objective, for which the airport was closed.
“We thank the domestic airlines for their cooperation. The planes are landing and taking off; we thank them for understanding and cooperating with us.
“We thank them for being there for our passengers and we want to thank them for their commitment to the country.’’
The minister also expressed optimism that more foreign airlines would divert their operations to the Kaduna Airport, “which is serving as the alternative airport, despite their initial refusal`’.
“Ethiopian Airlines was here yesterday and they are coming back in a few hours. They are bringing in the latest equipment, which is a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
“Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France and others have also signified their intention to come.’’
According to him, the Federal Government has provided free train and buses to shuttle passengers between Kaduna and Abuja during the period.
The shuttles would be accompanied by armed escorts, he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Med-view, Muneer Bankole, who was also at the airport, commended the government for choosing Kaduna airport as the alternative airport.
Bankole remarked that the flight diversion would impact positively on the state.
“Medview has been in Kaduna for over a year, working with the state government, especially for Hajj operations.
“It is a wonderful state with beautiful people. From what we have seen, it is the beginning of good things to come,’’ he said.
The Med-view boss commended the government for the ongoing projects, adding that in the next few months, a lot of grounds would be covered.
“We have to support the government to make sure things work in this country. I want to use this opportunity to tell the foreign airlines that they have no choice but to come here.’’
Bankole said Med-view had moved more staff to Kaduna to provide support services to its passengers.
He added that the airline had already included Kaduna-Yola, Kaduna-Maiduguri and Kaduna-Kano operations on its domestic routes.
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