There is uncertainty over the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja as it has remained a dream for the past five years, Daily Trust Saturday reports.
Under the administration of former President Muhammad Buhari when Senator Hadi Sirika was the minister of aviation, the project saw budgetary provisions annually, to the tune of N64 billion, but it has been stalled despite its significance.
Although aviation experts are divided over the necessity of the second runway, it is generally believed that it would be a big relief for airline operators, who have had to contend with flight disruptions occasioned by Very Important Persons (VIP) movements in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), being Nigeria’s seat of power.
VIPs like the president, vice president and other prominent personalities usually pass through the airport, causing disruptions. The situation became worse in the buildup to the 2023 elections and after the exercise when the new government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was about to be inaugurated.
In April this year, airlines expressed concern over flight delays associated with VIP movement at the airport.
Daily Trust Saturday reports that during that period, for over an hour, domestic airlines practically grounded operations over VIP movements.
It was gathered that among the airlines affected were those already with fully boarded aircraft preparing to depart.
Confirming the situation, an airline operator said, “All flights have at least an hour delay, both in departure and arrival. Flights already boarded and about to depart were held down with passengers on board for 50 minutes.” He added that the cost of the delays could not be quantified.
