Helicopter service operators in the country are set for a boom time on account of the temporary closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, for its runway repair.
The operators, who are deploying both charter and shuttle service helicopters for different categories of people and pockets, on various routes inwards Abuja, are expecting to make it big with the traffic.
It was learnt from some marketing agents that the shuttle service, which is open to all air travellers, now ranges between N100, 000 to N200, 000 per head, depending on the boarding location and time of booking.
A direct helicopter shuttle service from Lagos to Abuja now goes for between N150, 000 to N200, 000 per head, depending on the operator of choice. Similar flight on Kaduna-Abuja or Minna-Abuja route costs between N50, 000 to N100, 000, depending on airline and time of booking.
Charter services, designated for the corporate bodies and the very rich are priced in millions of naira.
An online marketer said it was not the case that the prices were inflated since all operators were hoping to attract as many patronages as possible within the six-week window.
The Managing Director of Omni-Blu Aviation, Capt. Sunny Adegbuyi, said at least two helicopters have been deployed for the operations. One will run four chartered operations daily on Lagos-Abuja route, while the other is dedicated to shuttle services on Kaduna-Abuja route.
Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria), on its part, said it would continue to offer its Lagos-Abuja fixed-wing charter service via Minna Airport during the closure of the runway at Abuja Airport.
To complement Federal Government efforts to ease commuters’ burden, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has released a new timetable for Abuja-Kaduna-Abuja train.
A statement by the commission revealed that the first up train would be departing Idu station, Abuja by 0600hrs signaling the commencement of six trips per day.
The statement also disclosed that two coaches were reserved strictly for airport passengers on both up and down direction while only one SP coach and SPA coach would be for existing passengers.
It also revealed that the train would not stop at Jere and Rijana stations, saying that the directive takes immediate effect and must be strictly complied with.
As part of fall-outs of the closure of the Abuja airport, the Indonesian Embassy has announced a cut down on air travels for the six-week period.
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