Domestic Airlines Resume Flights as Foreign Carriers Boost Operations

Life has come back to the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, (MMA2), as organised labour suspended a nationwide strike for two days at the weekend after a five-day protest in major parts of the country. All the major domestic airlines in the country, including Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Air Nigeria, Dana Air, Chanchangi, IRS and First Nation Airways had commenced flight operations at both General Aviation Terminal (GAT) and MMA2 of the Lagos airport.

There was the usual hustle and bustle at the domestic terminals as many passengers who had been stranded since last five days rushed to the airport to buy tickets, check in and board their flights.

During the period of the strike, the aviation unions ensured that aviation agencies and airline workers were forced out of the terminals which were locked up until Friday afternoon.

When THISDAY visited the GAT, Arik Air officials were attending to the passengers as all indications show that the airline was opened for business and its officials were seen selling tickets to intending passengers that were on the queue, while calls for boarding were also being announced.

At MMA2, where Aero, Air Nigeria, First Nation Airways, IRS and Dana operate, the various airline officials were equally seen attending to intending passengers on the queue, while some passengers were heading to board aircraft to their various destinations.
Vehicular traffic had started building up at the two terminals while airport taxis were poised and ready for arriving passengers.

The Head of Communi-cations, Dana Air, Tony Usidamen confirmed that domestic airlines had commenced operations, adding that they were directed to do so by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

He added that domestic airlines would operate yesterday and today, pending the outcome of the crucial meeting between the federal government and the organised labour over the removal of oil subsidy.

Also spokesman of Arik Air, Adebanji Ola, told THISDAY that the airline was supposed to start operation on Friday evening and by yesterday it was in full gear to attend to the passengers.

Those passengers who missed their flights last week were told to get new dates for their airlifting by the airlines. There was a similar rush at the international wing of the airport as those passengers who could not get to the airport to board their flights during the strike crowded the international terminal yesterday hoping that the airlines would airlift them.








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