There is excitement around the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) as international flights are expected to resume today (Tuesday), Daily Trust reports.
The Federal Government had slated April 5 as the date of reopening the international flights in the commercial centre, but some staff at the airport told our reporter that the resumption had been postponed to Tuesday due to the Easter public holiday.
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One of the staff, who pleaded anonymity, said the first flight by Ethiopian Airline will open the international flight.
“It is expected to resume today (Monday) but due to public holiday, it has been postponed. We are expecting Ethiopian Airline to land with passengers and also to fly with others Tuesday (today).
“On Wednesday, we expect to have Egypt Air too. So, this is the arrangement so far. But we don’t know what will come up between today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday),” he added.
However, other staff and workers around the airport have expressed divergent views over the resumption date.
Some of them are not sure about the resumption of the international flight today.
One of them said, “We are not sure if the resumption is confirmed until we see it happen. It is rumoured that the Federal Government has postponed the resumption to the next 10 days. So, I can’t confirm to you.”
Another one said, “All arrangements have been made. Security operatives have been in the new terminal since Saturday. As of Sunday, all the lights have been switched on but we can’t say anything until we see the arrival of the plane.”
A taxi driver at the airport said it is cheery news because the suspension of the international flight had affected their businesses.
He said even though all arrangements have been made for the resumption, they are not sure if it will commence.
“But we will be very happy if it is true. We are really disturbed and just carrying few passengers mostly staff to the main road from inside the airport,” he said.
A trader, who sells drinks and recharge cards, said he heard from some staff that the flight would resume Tuesday.
Our correspondent observed that the old and new international terminals of the airport looked empty with little or no movement of people as at the time of filing this report.
