Dana Air, Air Peace and Arik air have resumed scheduled services to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja following the completion of the rehabilitation of its runway and subsequent re-opening of the airport for commercial flights and other ancillary services.
Dana Air’s accountable manager, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo said in Lagos that the airline would operate five daily flights from Lagos to Abuja.’
He urged the airline’s customers to take advantage of its low fares and numerous customer-centric services like the self service kiosk at the Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal 2, pocket-friendly cab services in Abuja for Dana Miles Guests, as well as the ongoing discounts for Youth Corps members.
“We also thank the minister of state for aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika for walking the talk, the aviation agencies for raising the bar and ensuring that issues were resolved on-time and our amazing guests for their support and understanding. Kaduna people are peace-loving and we also appreciate them for their hospitality,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kaduna Integrity Group has applauded the airline for its service delivery and contribution to the economy as the airline re-commences flights the airport.
The group’s chairman, Mr. Abdullai Umar Ladan said the airline had contributed to tourism during the renovation of the Abuja and Kaduna airports.
Similarly, Arik Air announced the resumption of scheduled flights to the airport.
The airline said in a statement that it would operate daily flights between Abuja and Lagos as well as connect some other destinations including Ilorin, Ibadan, Gombe, Yola, Sokoto, Port Harcourt and Accra (Ghana) to the airport.
“We are pleased that the Federal Government has fulfilled its promise to reopen Abuja Airport on schedule. This is highly commendable and airline operators can now operate safely to Abuja without any concerns about the state of the runway.
“We assure our Abuja bound passengers of the same high safety standard they have known the airline for over the years.
Our pledge is to continue to improve on our on-time performance and team friendliness,” said the airline’s chief executive officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu.
He added that airline will be operating daily flights to Maiduguri via Abuja Airport.
Air Peace also announced resumption of flights to the airport.
Spokesman for Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah commended air travellers for keeping faith with the airline as well as the federal government for ensuring speedy completion of the repair work on the Abuja Airport runway.
“We are pleased to announce resumption of all our flights into and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“We considered the decision of the Federal Government to shut down the airport for quick repair of its runway in tandem with the high safety standards of our flight operations. At Air Peace, the safety our esteemed guests is our first rule of business. We do not compromise on that for any reason.
“Although the decision to shut the facility to traffic came with huge costs for us, nothing compares with safety. We are also aware that our numerous guests and the entire travelling public had to make a lot of sacrifice to enable the repair of the runway possible and wish to commend them for their understanding and cooperation.
“The repair of the runway has further intensified our enthusiasm to deliver the best flight experience to our valued guests in a very safe atmosphere. Our Abuja schedules are live once again and we promise to give the best of air travel services,” he said.