The first commercial flight with passengers from Abuja landed at the Asaba International Airport yesterday at exactly 12.17pm.
The 48-seater Overland aircraft with registration number 5N-BND landed the airport with 20 passengers on board.
One of the passengers who spoke to reporters Engr. Sam Arowosafe commended the standard of the airport.
Engr. Arowosafe said the completion of the airport was a good development as it would boost the economic development of the state. “This is a good development. We are happy to be here and it will reduce cost,” he said. He was optimistic that the airport would take Delta State to the top.
Another passenger Hon. Ezechi Nwoye was full of praise for the administration of Governor Uduaghan especially for constructing the airport. He said the Asaba International Airport has made air transport easy for the people living in Anambra state.
Hon. Nwoye explained that before now they travelled to Benin Airport for all their movements but with the commencement of commercial flights in Asaba, it would cost them less to travel by air. He said “Dr. Uduaghan is doing well. We from Anambra State will not be going to Benin again as it is easier and cheaper for us here in Asaba.”
The State Governor who came from Abuja with the same Overland flight, expressed appreciation to God for a dream that has manifested into concrete reality. An elated governor Uduaghan told reporters that the flight was smooth and pleasant.
Dr. Uduaghan who fielded questions from journalists said the completion of an airport takes a long time.
He explained that even the best airport in the world still has some minor works going on either in form of renovation or adding more facilities.
The Governor therefore appealed to Nigerians to be patient and follow the trend in Airport development as it was not easy to completely finish work in an airport in one swoop.
Dr. Uduaghan who said his administration was not against criticisms promised to welcome any form of criticism provided such criticisms are constructive.
His words “I welcome criticism at any time. In fact my administration is open and ready to listen to criticisms provided such criticisms are constructive and aimed at moving the state forward”.
At the booking counter, intending passengers were seen purchasing tickets for their flights. Thereafter, they were frisked alongside their luggage with metal detectors before taking their seats in the departure hall.
One of the intending passengers waiting to catch his flight to Lagos, Mr. Nosakhare Edokpayi, described the Asaba Airport as very unique, convenient.
His American based-son, Idahosa Edokpayi said “the airport is world class and comparable to those in Europe and America.”
An official of OVERLAND Airlines told journalists that the airline presently operates two flights to Lagos and Abuja on a daily basis.
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