Ethiopian Airlines agree to fly to Kaduna after Abuja airport closure

The frequent appeals, and persuasion from the Federal Government to foreign airlines flying international routes may be paying of some dividends as at last Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to route flight through Kaduna airport with daily frequency with its Dream Liner aircraft.

The Traffic and Sales Manager of the Airline Mrs. Firiehiwot Mekonnen disclosed this to journalists in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika and representatives of foreign airlines operating in the country.

It will be recalled that several airlines had balked at the idea of using the Kaduna airport for the period the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja will be closed for repairs, with some preferring to use the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos and others scrapping their flights out rightly. However, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika has been lobbying to convince airlines of the viability of using the Kaduna airport.

Ethiopian Airlines had their team of experts inspect the airport and saw that the airport was fit for flight operations. Mekonnen however urged the government to address some the areas of concern raised by the team in order to ensure smooth operation during the period.

Sirika continues lobbying as he said there was urgent need to meet with all the International airlines coming into Abuja such as Air France, Air Côte D’Ivoire, Asky, British Airways, Egypt Air, Ethiopian, Saudi Air, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, among others.