THE country’s battered reputation hangs on the balance, once again, as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, closes operations for 30 hours with effect from last mid-night.

Aviation expert, Captain Dele Ore, described the closure as embarrassing, saying second runway for the airport is long overdue. He said the situation has huge security implications, wondering the options available to the President assuming he has urgent journey to make.

Ore said the closure would substantially affect the earnings of key aviation agencies.

But another expert, Dr. Steve Mahaonwu, said: “Human lives should be given priority first. Any airport can be shutdown if there is a need for that; and that is why we have alternative airports like Kaduna and Ilorin. Shutting down an airport for three days will not kill anybody; it is for the good of the people.”

Coordinating Spokesperson for the Aviation Parastatals, Yakubu Dati, said, in a press statement, that the closure was to enable the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) carry out facility upgrade in line with the requirements of the global regulator, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and its local affiliate, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Acting on concerns that the solo runway suffered some ruptures, Supervising Minister of Aviation, Chief Samuel Ortom, inspected the facility after which he promised that affected portions would be fixed.

Already, it has been estimated that local operators would lose, at least, N180 million in revenue within the 30-hour closure.

For instance, Arik Air, which operates 36 flights to and from Abuja, daily, may cancel the city operations today. Aero Contractors may also cancel its 22 in-and-outbound flights. The same applies to Medview and others.

Foreign airliners, such as Air France, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa Air and Ethiopian Airline are faced with re-routing option or outright cancellation. This comes with huge cost implications for travellers (who were not given adequate notice to adjust travelling arrangement) in form of hotel and additional transportation bills.

Source: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/national-news/169533-another-trial-of-reputation-as-abuja-airport-closes-operations

Jbenue:

Aviation expert, Captain Dele Ore, described the closure as embarrassing, saying second runway for the airport is long overdue. He said the situation has huge security implications, wondering the options available to the President assuming he has urgent journey to make.

Ore said the closure would substantially affect the earnings of key aviation agencies.

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expert my a$$

Still can't believe Belgium is out of the world cup. .

Keep calm, GEJ might be working

Prowizy2: Still can't believe Belgium is out of the world cup. .

Prowizy2: Still can't believe Belgium is out of the world cup. .