When Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, ordered airlines to move to the airport’s new terminal, passengers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos raised worry about the uncertainty and lack of accurate information that followed.
Keyamo had unexpectedly ordered all airlines to leave the airport by October 1, 2023, but on last Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria forcibly moved the foreign carriers to the facility.
Although this action has raised concerns among both international students and travelers, it may be considered as an essential step for airport expansion and improvement.
International students are concerned about the potential interruptions and inconveniences that frequent flights to their home countries may bring about.
The bulk of the overseas students this reporter met with who were enrolled at various Nigerian colleges expressed their dismay and concern regarding the minister’s choice.
A female traveler who asked to remain anonymous expressed her dismay over the notice’s suddenness and lack of forethought.
The spontaneous nature of the notification had caused discomfort among passengers, leaving them confused about what may happen during the changeover period, she added. She described her reaction to the news as distressing and puzzling, hoping that no further issues would occur before to her flight.
Another intended traveler, a student at the University of Law in the United Kingdom, expressed disappointment and annoyance about the timing and lack of effort on the part of the government and aviation ministry to ensure a hassle-free journey.
Dr. Kingsley Nwokoma, president of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria, reacted to the development by expressing his concerns about Terminal Two’s ability to adequately accommodate all the foreign airlines and stakeholders. He commented that the development and expansion of the industry were not sufficiently taken into account during the terminal’s construction. As a result, the airlines and passengers concerned may find the move to Terminal Two to be chaotic and difficult.
The president stressed how crucial network punctuality is to running an airline. Many passengers, he noted, had bought their tickets months in advance, and now they were being forced to adjust to the change. He mentioned the major inconveniences the recent power outage has brought about, including airline cancellations, delays, and challenges with the conveyor belt system, while acknowledging that it raises safety concerns.
Dr. Nwokoma added that because of the delays in the network punctuality, some passengers had to change their plans and make unforeseen stops along the way. He voiced worry that these difficulties may lead to litigation from irate passengers, in addition to financial losses for the airlines.
Share your thoughts