Sallah: Abuja airport witnesses heavy traffic Wednesday
NAN-H-52
Airport
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, June 28, 2017 (NAN) The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday witnessed heavy traffic of passengers as many people return to the FCT after Eid el-Fitr holiday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN observed that the traffic on arrival was heavier than the departure.
An official of the airport, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the traffic was a little busy on Friday and Saturday before the sallah, adding that current economic challenges affected the traffic.
The official said that the usual rush during festive period was not experienced during the just concluded Eid el-Fitr.
According to him, the traffic volume was nothing compared to last year’s figure probably as a result of the economic recession the country is facing.
“Even this morning, we have a bit of heavy traffic from arrival because of the public holiday that just ended on Tuesday,” the official said.
Mr Abdullahi Saroke, Deputy Station Manager, Azman Air, said the passenger traffic before and during the sallah was low compared to the volume that the airlines normally record during previous celebrations.
Saroke said the low traffic could be attributed to the prevailing economic hardship in the country, adding that many travellers could not afford the high cost of flight ticket.
He explained that unlike in the past when people struggled to get flight tickets on the eve of festivities, there was no such rush during the just concluded Eid el-Fitr.
According to him, the airlines are recording more traffic on arrival today than departures, though there is a bit of movement but it is not quite impressive.
“Before and during Sallah, we did not experience much traffic or rush of passengers but today, many passengers are returning to Abuja,” he said.
On the price of ticket, Saroke said the cheapest for economic class on Azman local Air was between N25,000 to N35,000 depending on the time and day of the week.
He added that the business class tickets cost between N50,000 and N70,000.
An official of the First Nation, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, said the passengers’ traffic was low during the Eid celebration.
He also attributed the low traffic to economic hardship, saying that people only traveled when they have money.
A passenger, Mr Bello Ajibola, said he flew in from Lagos where he celebrated sallah with his family, to resume work on Wednesday.
Ajibola, however, decried the high cost of air ticket.
According to him, it is painful these days to cough out N30,000 for ticket from Lagos to Abuja because everything is on the higher side.
“I am calling on the Federal Government to do more to bring the country out of recession and increase workers salaries so that people can have money to spend.
“I also want to commend the government for the recent improvement in our airports and I am urging them to encourage the local airlines,’’ he said.
Another passenger, Mall Adamu Usman, who arrived from Kano aboard Azman Air, said he came to Abuja on Wednesday for an important meeting.
Usman said he thanked the Almighty God for the successful completion of Ramadan, urging for prayers for the restoration of peace and economic recovery for the country.(NAN)
OYS/TO/AFA
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Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Felix Ajide