Asaba airport set to resume flight operations
Asaba International Airport in Delta State is set to resume flight operations after it was shut down several months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Secretary to Delta State Government, (SSG) Chiedu Ebie, made this known while inspecting the airport on Thursday ahead of the resumption of flight operations expected to begin in a few days.
Ebie said that the state government had put necessary protocols in place at the airport for passenger compliance with COVID-19 directives given by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for aviation activities.
According to him, the inspection was to ascertain the level of preparation on the part of the management of the airport for full resumption of flight operations in the airport.
He expressed his delight with the level of compliance with guidelines by Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the NCDC against the spread of COVID-19.
The Delta SSG stated that personnel of the airport were currently undergoing training to enable them to function optimally in line with the “new normal’’.
He revealed that when flight operations would resume, no fewer than six airlines, including Ibom Air, Azman and Arik Air, would be on the Asaba route.
Ebie noted that the state government would work out modalities to ensure that physical-distancing and the wearing of face masks were maintained in the airport operation.
Fielding question on the fares to be collected by the airlines, he said that the state government had no right to regulate the fare as the airlines were in business.
He affirmed that the government would continue to do its best to ensure that the airport remained one of the best in the country.
Earlier, the Special Project Director of the Airport, Austin Ayemidejor, had said “steps have been taken to ensure that there is physical-distancing, compulsory wearing of face masks, washing of hands at the point of entry and temperature check”.
Ayemidejor who conducted the inspection team comprising the SSG,Chiedu Ebie, Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, Commissioner for Finance, Fidelis Tilije and the Chief of Staff, Government House, David Edevbie said the airport was fully set to host full flight operations.
Areas inspected at the airport by the team include the ticketing hall, departure and arrival halls as well as other sections of the airport where facilities were already put in place in compliance with the fight against COVID-19.
