There will be more local flights in Nigeria in three weeks

NOV.2 (PREMIUM TIMES) More local airlines will begin flight operations in Nigeria in the next three weeks, the Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority,NCAA, Harold Demuren, has said.

Mr. Demuren made this known in a telephone interview while reacting to the hike in air tickets by airlines at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Friday.

He said new aircraft will begin operation in the country in the next two to three weeks and the development will enable airlines to treat customers with care.

Mr. Demuren decried the increased in local airfare across the country and attributed it to the few airlines operating at present in the country.

“The airlines are not being fair to the people because they suppose to be in control of their business by not allowing unauthorised people to sell tickets on behalf of their company.

“The NCAA official will address the situation immediately but I am assuring you that this will stop soon after the new airlines begin operation.

“I believe by the time other airlines with new aircraft begin operations that will ease

passengers’ traffic flow on our domestic routes,’’ Mr. Demuren said.

He said that it is the duty of the airlines to keep to the directive of the NCAA and other aviation authorities worldwide, to meet the global aviation standard.

The spokesperson for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Henrieta Yakubu, said that the authority is against the activities of unauthorised ticket sellers at the airport.

“It is against the best global aviation practice for passengers to purchase air tickets from touts, it is also risky in case of any accident.

“In case of eventuality, the FAAN seriously discourages people from patronising the touts. People should always ensure that they get their air ticket directly from the airlines online or on the desk,’’ she said.

Arik Air and Aero Contractor were the only two airlines operating on the domestic routes from Abuja as of Friday.

Arik one-way ticket on Economic class had increased from N33, 000 to N35, 000, while the business class moved from N40, 000 to N45, 000 on Friday morning.

Touts sold Arik Economic class ticket at between N39, 000 and N40, 000.

Aero ticket went up from N28, 000 to N38, 000 for the economic class, while the touts sold same ticket for N40, 000.

The Business class ticket sold for between N39, 000 and N42, 000 on the counter depending on the time.

NAN