Mixed Feeling Reactions Trail Domestic Flight Resumption In Nigeria

   

As domestic flight operations resumed at airports in Lagos and Abuja on Wed - nesday, travellers expressed mixed feelings as they waited for hours to fly for the first time since March 23.

Though, they were able,against all odds to get at the terminals on time in order to catch their flights; not many were pleased with coming in early and being delayed for longtime before flying.

Passengers who spoke with PUNCH correspondents at the GAT terminal in Lagos said they came three hours before their scheduled flights in comp - liance with the provisions of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria requirements.

     

Abusinessman, Aminu Sumaila, said he arrived quite early to observe all mandatory procedures.

Elvis Okonkwo who was also flying from Lagos to Abuja said he was not  pleased with coming in too early for his flight.

He said, “I was here 8am but my flight is by 11am. The process was very inconvenient due to transportation.”

Okonkwo also indicated that the process was slow.

He said, “Everyone is afraid but we are looking to God and doing what is necessary. We are satisfied with the processes but it is very slow.

If I don’t travel today, I would not be able to meet up with what I am doing. I am still going to return.”

On his own part, Sanusi Turai, another passenger who took the Arik Air flight to Abuja from Lagos declared:  “I came early but I didn’t need to. I should have come a little later.”

Turai who spoke regarding the scanty number of passengers boarding said people were still apprehensive about travelling ,what explains the low turnout of passengers at the terminal.

He said, “Maybe because today is the first day and people are a bit skeptical about travelling as far as today is concerned. There is a pandemic. Everyone has to look out for thems -elves. People are a bit apprehensive.

I believe once you have taken all the precautions, then everything else is left to fate. For me, my travelling conf -idence is very simple. I need to get to Abuja and I will get there. I still expect hiccup and if it doesn’t happen, fine.”

According to PUNCH correspondent , passengers adhered to social distan -cing and used their face masks through the boarding process.

Passengers luggage were disinfected.  Spokesperson for Arik Air, Banji Ola, said the plane was filled above average.

   

He stated, “The planes are not full. The first flight left above average and we will disinfect the second flight before it leaves around noon. It is a new normal; we have to cope.”

Regional Manager, South West Airports Operations, Victoria Shin-Aba, expressed  delight at the resumption of flight operations

She said: “I am delighted and very happy that the skies are open again. We can go back to work and everyone can go back to their businesses.

Writing a plan is different from implementation. You can write a very beautiful plan but when it comes to actualising it, it can become an issue.”

Flight ARA720 with registration 5NMJQ operated by Arik Air from Lagos to Abuja was airborne at about 6.30am and lifted 78 passengers and nine crew to the Federal Capital Territory.

Also, Air Peace, Ibom Air and Max Air carried out flights on Wednesday morning, with Air Peace conveying the largest number of passengers, 112, and nine crew members from Lagos to Abuja.

            

Rabiu Yadudu:MD,Federal Airports Authority Of Nigeria

The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Rabiu Yadudu, described the compliance of passengers as tremendous.

"There were no issues with the passengers. Today, the cooperation and support have been very tremen -dous and highly appreciated,” he told journalists at the NAIA.

On his part, the Director-General, NCAA, Musa Nuhu, said preparations before the reopening of the airspace were adequate.

An Air Peace passenger, Toyin Adetunji, commended FAAN and NCAA for spacing time of flights to allow social distancing.