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The cost of Abuja airport closure
Nigeria's minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika says the logistics of relocating aviation activities from the capital to the Kaduna airport would cost about N1.1 billion - in a time where the country is grappling with recession. Pekun Sowole, Aviation Lawyer at Jurislaw Legal Practitioners joins CNBC Africa to give insight.
Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:52:58 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- The closure of the Abuja airport has led to a 50% reduction in air traffic, causing financial strain on airlines and service providers.
- The limited international connectivity from Kaduna airport has forced travelers to reroute their journeys, leading to significant economic losses.
- The lack of proactive planning and maintenance of the Abuja airport has raised questions about government accountability and highlighted structural deficiencies in the aviation sector.
Nigeria's Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, recently revealed that the logistics of relocating aviation activities from the capital to the Kaduna State Airport would cost about 1.1 billion Naira amid a challenging economic climate. This move, prompted by the need for repairs at the Abuja airport, has had significant implications for the aviation sector and the economy at large. Pekun Sowole, an aviation lawyer at Jurislaw Legal Practitioners, shed light on the operational challenges and financial losses incurred by the industry in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. The closure of the Abuja airport has led to a 50% reduction in air traffic, with airlines scaling back their operations significantly. Normally accommodating around 8,000 flights, the Kaduna airport is now handling only approximately 4,000 flights. This sharp decline in traffic has put pressure on airlines, leading to financial strain and potential business failures. Foreign airlines, in particular, have been reluctant to operate at the Kaduna airport, citing the unfavorable economic conditions. Passengers have been left with canceled flights and uncertainty regarding refunds, further exacerbating the situation. The limited international connectivity from Kaduna, with only Ethiopian Airlines providing a gateway to Africa, has forced many travelers to reroute their journeys through other cities such as Lagos. This rerouting, coupled with the operational challenges at the Kaduna airport, has resulted in significant economic losses estimated to be in the billions. Sowole emphasized the impact on service providers in Abuja, such as taxi drivers and vendors, who have seen a drastic reduction in income due to the airport closure. The lack of adequate planning and maintenance of the Abuja airport over the years has contributed to the current crisis, raising questions about government accountability in the aviation sector. With a history of high taxes and challenging policies hindering the growth of airlines, the sudden closure of the Abuja airport has further strained the industry. Sowole highlighted the need for proactive measures to mitigate the effects of such decisions on stakeholders and called for long-term planning and investment in infrastructure to prevent future disruptions. The Kaduna State Airport, though undergoing renovations, still faces capacity constraints that limit its ability to handle the influx of traffic diverted from Abuja. The closure of the airport has exposed structural deficiencies in the aviation sector and underscored the importance of strategic planning to ensure operational continuity. As passengers and service providers grapple with the ramifications of the relocation, the aviation industry in Nigeria faces a critical juncture that demands collaborative efforts from all stakeholders. While the repair of the Abuja airport is necessary, the economic repercussions of the closure serve as a reminder of the need for sustainable practices and policies in the aviation sector.
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