There are reports that a Nigeria Air aircraft which was earlier sighted at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia has landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This is barely 2 days after the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, confirmed that the National Carrier, Nigeria Air’s aircraft would arrive in the country on Friday before the commencement of operations.
This is also despite opposition from Domestic operators under the aegis of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) who have sued the Federal Government over the project.
Video footage circulating on social media platforms shows the Nigeria Air aircraft with a white background with the ‘Nigeria Air’ inscription at the Abuja airport on the last working day of this administration.
Minister earlier confirmed the plane’s arrival
Sirika, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, confirmed that the aircraft for the National Carrier, Nigeria Air, will arrive in the country on Friday ahead of the commencement of operations.
The Aviation Minister during an interview with Channels Television promised that the aircraft would be unveiled in Nigerian colours in fulfillment of all the promises made by the administration in the aviation sector.
He noted that the only incomplete item is the metropolis, which is the airport city and is 60% complete.
The Minister, however, pointed out that the groundwork for the metropolis has been completed, with work on the airport expected to be concluded by the incoming administration.
Airline Operators to Sue Minister
Meanwhile, Airline Operators of Nigeria have faulted plans by the outgoing Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to launch the operations of Nigeria Air on Friday (today) despite a restraining court order on the controversial project.
As a result, AON lawyers have written a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, asking him to stop the minister’s attempt to “circumvent the court orders on Friday being the last working day of this administration and possibly to cover up the various infractions of Nigerian laws, among others.”
The local carriers also said they would sue the minister for contempt of court for planning to launch the airline despite the court order stopping the project.
Recall that,
FAAN stated in the letter requesting approval that “considering the current security situation of the country, it is important to be more organized and orderly within the airport.”
“As such, rowdiness in the drop-off area and parking lots, improper parking, parking in restricted areas, unnecessary congestion in front of the terminal, and all forms of unruly behavior should be avoided by all airport users and passengers alike.”
FAAN further stated that the military and paramilitary personnel, government officials, and politicians as well as their aides are not exempted.
However, dedicated car lots would be provided for them for a fee as there might be no free parking anywhere within the terminal environment.
The proposed ‘Park and Pay’ policy at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja is scheduled to take effect on September 29, 2022.
The federal government had previously approved a new order at the Abuja Airport.
In a letter dated August 16, 2022, the managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Kabir Yadudu Mohammed, requested approval from the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to obtain the necessary federal government approvals to launch the service.
According to reports, the federal government approved the new service immediately.
FAAN stated in the letter requesting approval that “considering the current security situation of the country, it is important to be more organized and orderly within the airport.”
“As such, rowdiness in the drop-off area and parking lots, improper parking, parking in restricted areas, unnecessary congestion in front of the terminal, and all forms of unruly behavior should be avoided by all airport users and passengers alike.”
FAAN further stated that the military and paramilitary personnel, government officials, and politicians as well as their aides are not exempted.
However, dedicated car lots would be provided for them for a fee as there might be no free parking anywhere within the terminal environment.
“There will also be a redefinition of the VIP/VVIP parking lots and introduction of dedicated parking lots for corporate organizations and the above-mentioned categories of highly enticed individuals going forward,” the document sighted by our correspondent indicated.
Ahead of the said date, FAAN is already setting up automation barriers on all access roads to both domestic and general airport terminals and the international terminal.
Journalists also observed that the FAAN has already produced a flyer to educate airport users on the development.
It reads: “From September 29th, 2022 pay parking would commence” and “there will be dedicated parking lots for private and public protocols committed to enhancing their experience to sustain our core values – safety, security, and comfort.”
READ ALSO: ‘Park and Pay’ Policy At Abuja Airport Takes Effect September 29 – FG
Source: nairametrics.com
