BENIN CITY – The Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations, Benin Airport, Mrs. Dan-Oshevire Michelle has debunked speculations that the Benin Airport has been totally closed down to Business activities, saying it will be re-opened for commercial services July10.
Mrs. Michelle made the clarification yesterday in Benin City while speaking with newsmen in her office.
She said “the Benin Airport has not been totally closed down as speculated by people; the Airport is in perfect condition, just that there is a small break to allow maintenance work at the run-way.
“It is the run-way that needs to be upgraded and that is where work is presently on-going; the civil department from the National Headquarters are here with the contractors and hopefully in the next few weeks, specifically 10th July, 2015 the run-way will open to commercial flight.
Infact, let me state here that apart from commercial Airlines like the aero and Arik, other private Air-crafts like “Choppers” can land and take off at the Benin Airport, it’s only commercial flights that have been temporarily shut down for this period of maintenance.
Mrs. Michelle noted “the whole essence of this temporary shut down of the run-way is to ensure safety and security of lives, aircrafts and property”.
“Our Primary concern as service provider is safety of lives, aircrafts and the upgrade of the run-way is a normal routine aimed at meeting International best practice in the Aviation Industry globally.
The Head, Corporate Affairs and Public Relations of the Benin Airport further said “the run-way when completed will have full lighting system to enable aircrafts land or take off late in the evenings”, she stressed.
She maintained that plans are on to forestall a repeat of the Stone-Away boy as the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would soon embark on the construction of perimeter fencing around the Airport to prevent intruders from the run-way.
“We are also looking at the tenders, upgrading our fire department, thought we have a very good and efficient one right now; but it is never too much especially when you are dealing with Airport as busy as the Benin Airport.
She, however, called on members of the public, especially air travellers to exercise patience as the short break on the run-way would not go beyond 10th of July and called on the contracting firm to expedite action in order to meet the deadline on the completion of work.
Investigation by our reporter revealed that the Benin Airport especially the tarmac for the past few days has been devoid of the normal bursting and hushing for which the Airport is known.
A source close to aero Airliner who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the situation at the Benin Airport did not come as a surprise as management of Benin Airport had informed Airliners of the maintenance work that would last for three weeks.
According to the source “we were told and latest 10th or 11th of July everything will be all over and business will bounce back again but presently, air travellers have been advised to use the Warri or Asaba Airport.
