The number of airlines to have expressed displeasure at the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja for six weeks to carry out repairs on the runway now includes the British Airways and Lufthansa Airlines.
While the other airlines will suspend operations for the six weeks period, the BA has opted for Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos as the alternative to the Abuja airport. This will take BA flights to two per day in Lagos which will definitely increase patronage for the local flights as they will need to convey people to other parts of the country.
South African Airways on Monday disclosed its plans to suspend its Abuja operations while the runway closure lasted. The carrier said the business decision was imperative following its decision not to fly to Kaduna Airport. German carrier, Lufthansa also told reporters of its decision not to fly into Kaduna.
ARM investigation reveals that most airlines would prefer to operate all their flights to Lagos, as it was when Port Harcourt was closed for runway repairs in 2007/2008. The diversions of these flights to Lagos would be a boom in business to the benefit of the domestic airlines, who should work in alliance with these foreign airlines to help distribute and collect their inbound and outbound international passengers for them between Lagos and other airports.
The airlines are not favourable to the use of Kaduna Airport during the six weeks closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for repairs because of several reasons including security, poor infrastructure and the ease of connection to other parts of the country.
