Edo Govt Canvasses 24hrs Operations for Benin Airport, as United Nigeria Commences Direct Flight

Edo Govt Canvasses 24hrs Operations for Benin Airport, as United Nigeria Commences Direct Flight The Edo State Government has appealed to the federal government to make the Benin-city airport a 24-hour aerodrome for optimal use. This is as the United Nigeria Airline on Tuesday commenced direct flight into the airport from 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-city, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who was on ground to receive the airline chairman and crew members, said upgrading of facilities at the airport would further increase the passenger surge, adding that it would also boost the economic activities of the state. He explained that plans had reached advanced stage for the Instrument Landing Systems (ILSs) at the airport to be upgraded, assuring them that some of the facilities would be installed before the end of this year. Obaseki also lauded United Nigeria Airline for joining seven other airlines to operate direct flights into the airport, maintaining that such would further make the airfares more competitive with arrays of choice for the travelling public. He recalled that about seven years ago, the Benin airport had only one aircraft operating into the aerodrome, but the state government’s collaboration with private investors had further increased the airlines to eight presently. 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-city. Today, we have the seven airlines coming in, 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, 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. Obaseki further assured them of the administration’s commitment to providing top notch security during the yuletide season, boasting that the state is the most secure in the South-south region. Also speaking, the Chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, expressed delight at the launch of flight services from Lagos and Abuja to Benin-city by the airline. 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-city. 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 to fly to Benin-city. I can tell you that we are encouraged by his commitment, support and persistence.”