Edo Govt Canvasses 24hrs Operations for Benin Airport
…As United Nigeria Airlines commences operation
Ugo Aliogo
The Edo State government has appealed to the federal government to make the Benin Airport a 24- hour aerodrome for optimal use of the facility.
This was as United Nigeria Airlines yesterday, commenced operation at the Benin Airport from it’s the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja and its base at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
Speaking at the inaugural flight of the airline to Benin, Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who was on ground to receive the airline’s Chairman and crew members, said upgrading of facilities at the airport would further increase the passenger surge, adding that it would also the economic activities of the state would receive a boost.
He explained that plans had reached advanced stage for the Instrument Landing Systems (ILSs) at the airport to be upgraded, assuring that some of the facilities would be installed before the end of this year.
Obaseki also lauded United Nigeria Airlines for joining seven other airlines to operate direct flights into the airport, maintaining that this would further make the airfares more competitive with arrays of choice for the travelling public.
He recalled that about seven years ago, Benin had only one aircraft operating into the aerodrome, adding that the State government’s collaboration with private investors had further increased the airlines to present eight.
He said: “Let me remind all of us that when I came into office in 2016, there was only one commercial airline flying into Benin. Today, we have the seven airlines coming into Benin and I heard that there is another one that we expecting to start operation soon.
“So, in seven years, we have been able to attract seven new airlines into the marketplace and that has been made possible because of the openness and collaboration with the aviation authorities.
“I recall my meeting with the former Minister of Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika and the conversation at that time was that we were ready to collaborate with the federal government to increase the traffic flow into Benin City, Edo State,” he added.
Obaseki, further assured of the administration’s commitment to provide top notch security during the yuletide season, saying that the State was the most secured in the entire South South.
Also speaking, the Chairman, of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, expressed delight at the launch of flight services from Lagos and Abuja to Benin by the airline. He commended the State governor
Okonkwo, explained that the launch of the flight would enhance competition on the route, stressing that the airline would operate twice daily to the airport.
According to him, “Before we think about the competition, we have to say that we are glad to be here. It is not about the number whether we are ranked number seven or eight. I want to commend the governor who took the initiative to invite us to Benin. This discussion started in Lagos last year.
“The governor has been opened to every meeting. our team has organised with him and today we have fulfilled the first promise which was flying to Benin city. I can tell you that we are encouraged by his commitment, support and persistence.
“Many people have been talking about attracting investments but it is only by word of mouth, and rhetoric, but the governor has followed his words with action and that is why we commend the governor, not many people understand the importance of air travel to the economic development of the State. Air travel is a catalyst for growth.
“Consider the volume of traffic and passenger yield coming into Edo State due to the number of aircrafts that comes to the state daily, before it was one airline, it has increased to seven airlines. So, we think they until other state governors understand that the importance of air travel, they will not realize that there is no other way to grow the revenue of their state than through air travel.”
