South African Airways yesterday said it plans to suspend its Abuja operations during the six weeks period of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport runway repair.
The Guardian learnt that the airline, in a letter to the authorities, said the measure became imperative following its decision not to fly to Kaduna Airport, designated to serve all Abuja-bound aircraft during the closure.
The implication of the temporary suspension of operations is that passengers of the airline can only board in Lagos and contend with limited flight options, while paying more for travel expenses.
The Guardian had reported that Abuja-bound foreign airlines were considering suspending operations following a consensus that the plan to divert air traffic to Kaduna Airport would be risky for foreigners.
President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Bernard Bankole, warned that allowing the airlines to suspend operations would be a bad omen for the sector, with effects lasting longer than the six weeks duration.
Bankole said instead of South African Airways and other foreign airlines suspending operations, the Federal Government should rather divert foreign traffic to Lagos, while domestic operators go to Kaduna airport.
South African Airways said its last flight into Abuja would be on March 6, while the Federal Government will close the airport on March 8.
It was gathered that the airline has already sent the notice of its position to the Minister of State for Aviation.
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