Aviation professionals back Abuja airport closure

The planned closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja has got the backing of Aviation professionals under the aegis of Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP).

The endorsement of the closure by ANAP, a newly registered trade union in aviation, ran contrary to the position of labour unions which had in an open letter to President Mohammadu Buhari opposed the planned move.

The labour unions including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) jointly said the move would be counter-productive.

But ANAP through its General Secretary, Comrade Adulrazak Saidu declared that the association is in total support of closure of Abuja Airport and use of Kaduna Airport as alternative airport in the interest of safety of the air travelers.

The association was corroborated by an airline operator, Capt. Val Tongo who added that for safety concerns, it should be shut outright.

ANAP warned stakeholders to desist from unnecessary politicking and face safety issues, stressing that it is talking strictly on professional level.

Saidu who spoke with newsmen at the association’s secretariat stressed that Kaduna remains the best alternative to Abuja airport because as it has a longer runway than Minna Airport.

The union leader who stated that Abuja airport’s repair is not negotiable regretted that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was not having much input in the raging debate being the industry regulator.

Also an airline operator, Capt. Val Tongo said complete shutdown of the airport is the best option for safety.

Capt. Tongo who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Allied Air Limited, a Cargo airline said he is in support of the closure in spite of the fact that his business will also be affected by the decision.

He stressed that the decision by the Federal Government is the best option to enhance flight safety into the airport while flaying the stance of some industry stakeholders on the issue.