By Omos Oyinbode, Asaba
Delta State Government, yesterday, said that the Asaba International Airport has not been shut down but only downgraded until necessary repairs and safety measures are installed for it to come back on stream with bigger airlines to operate on the airport.
This, according to the Commissioner in charge of the Airport Project, Mr. Austine Ayemidejor, means that only smaller aircraft would be allowed to operate on the airport pending the completion of the installation of needed equipment on the runway and other safety measures.
Ayemidejor was dousing fears emanating from reports from the Federal Ministry of Aviation which downgraded the airport on Tuesday, where Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, said until needed safety measures were installed, only small aircraft would operate on the airport.
According to Ayemidejor, “there is nothing to worry about. Asaba Airport has not been shutdown. Downgrading is not closure. What the federal government has done is that we are expected to carry out rehabilitation on the runway and the perimeter fencing and the governor has approved the rehabilitation.
“What I think they have done is to put us on our toes. Downgrading means you can no longer come in with Boeing 703, we are now restricted to Dash 8-Q 400 aircraft, small body aircraft. Now, we are already taking steps in that direction. The governor has already approved a consultant for us to mobilize quickly for rehabilitation work to commence immediately.
“And then they also said the moment they see us taking firm action they will upgrade the airport immediately. We need know that airport generally is a regularly construction sight, renovation and expansion. So, this is not new. One or two airports have been shutdown in this country. But ours was not closed down but it’s only downgrading to help us upgrade.
“The downgrading is to enable us to fix the runway and the perimeter fencing, then we will come back on stream with the bigger aircrafts. We are even happy that they’ve put on our toes so that we can work fast and bring in more flights to the airport.
