Flight operations have resumed at the Hassan Usman Katsina International Airport in Kaduna after months of suspension due to security threats posed by banditry.
On Monday, October 23, Air Peace flight ERJ-145 touched down at the airport at exactly 5:10 p.m, marking the resumption of flights on the route.
In March 2022, bandits attacked the airport, thereby disrupting flight operations. Although Azman Air continued to operate for some time, it also suspended operations about five months ago.
The development forced passengers, especially on the Lagos-Kaduna route, to either land in Kano or Abuja and travel to Kaduna by road.
On the resumption of Air Peace flights on Monday evening, passengers expressed happiness. They called on the government and other relevant agencies to ensure that the Kaduna airport remains functional.
The airport manager, Adamu Sheikh, said that more airlines are set to commence operations. He stressed that adequate security has been put in place for aircraft landing and takeoff.
“More airlines are coming back and we are prepared. We have the cooperation of all the security agencies, everybody wants this airport to function, and all stakeholders are rallying round us to ensure that this airport is safe for aircraft landing and take-off”, he said.
Air Peace Kaduna Station Manager, Fatima Ndayako, explained that the airline returned to the Kaduna route due to persistent requests from their customers.
She assured that the airline would have daily operations to and fro Kaduna and Lagos. Currently, Air Peace is the only airline providing service between Lagos and Kaduna at the Kaduna airport, offering flights with a capacity of 50 passengers.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State facilitated the return of flight operations after meeting with airline executives in Abuja.
He also held meetings with high-ranking military officers, some of whom were present during the airport’s flight operations resumption.
Source: Neptune online.
