Passengers Nationwide fill up airports and motor parks ahead of Sallah Celebrations

8/17/2012 04:06:00 AM

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The domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the General Aviation Terminal were a beehive yesterday. Passengers, many of who are travelling to celebrate Eid-El-Fitri outside Lagos, thronged the airport for flights.


Also major motor parks in the country were also filled with passengers travelling for sallah celebrations.


At the domestic terminal the passengers were seen on long queues waiting to board their flights. Others came to buy tickets in advance.

A passenger, Alhaji Zaha Sanusi, said he just returned from Saudi Arabia where he performed the lesser hajj, adding that he returned to celebrate Eid-El-Fitri with his family.

He said he took Emirate flight while coming from Saudi Arabia and was preparing to take another flight to Kano for 2:00pm with IRS airline.

Sanusi said: “I went for the lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia and now I am back in the country because I want to celebrate Eid-El-Fitri with my family.”
Another passenger, Mr. Jones Otoh, who was travelling to Benin with Aero Airlines, said he was surprised at the traffic at the airport.

“Today seems to be very busy as it is a bit difficult because of the traffic at the airport. I am travelling to Benin City not necessarily for the Muslim celebration because it is obvious that the passenger traffic today is high” he said.

There has been considerable decline in passenger traffic on all domestic routes, in recent time following the June 3 Dana aircrash.

Airlines that currently fly in Nigeria include Arik Air, Aero Airlines, IRS Airlines and Associated Aviation as well as Overland Airways.