PASSENGERS traveling on international routes through Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) are lamenting the shortage of foreign airlines operating into the airport.

This is just as the abandonment of the airport has forced business activities to be grounded due to low patronage of passengers while some commercial banks operating there have equally shut down.

Presently, only Ethopian airline has since resumed full operations while other airlines earlier operating there are said to have abandoned the airport and shifted base to either Abuja or Lagos airports even after the recent reopening of the airport for international operations.

Prior to the outbreak of Coronavirus, foreign carriers flying into Kano airport included; Ethiopian, Egypt Air, Saudi Air and Badr airline.

Information gathered has however, revealed that since the reopening of the airport to international flights by the federal government on April 6th, 2021, only Ethiopian airline has since resumed flights with others yet to return.

Many Kano-based passengers and its environs willing to travel out of the country through the Kano airport have been faced with the challenges of having to travel by road to Abuja or Lagos to connect with other foreign carriers to reach their desired destinations.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, one of the affected passengers, Alhaji Usman Balla said: “I usually travel to Abuja by road to book for flight to China, as we all know, one can be kidnapped along the road and also to travel by air will also cost another expenses to be incurred

For Mr John Jacob, another passenger, he had to travel to Abuja and lodged in a hotel to catch an international flight the following day, since traveling by road from Kano will take about six to eight hours, a situation that often poses threat to his life.

Commenting on the development, a travel agent, Alhaji Mohammed Askira while describing the situation as worrisome, lamented how many of his colleagues are running at a loss due to low patronage from customers.

Overwhelmed by the challenges, passengers on the Kano route are appealing to the Federal Government to prevail on the foreign carriers to recommence operations into the Northern city.

Source: The Tribune