Eid-El-Fitri: Low turnout of passengers at Lagos airports

The two domestic Airports in Lagos on Monday witnessed a low turnout of passengers travelling to celebrate the Eld-El-Fitri holidays with their loved ones.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Federal Government had declared Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays, to mark the event.

The News Agency aviation correspondents who visited the two terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airports report that the facilities looked almost deserted, due to lack of passengers.

The airfare from Lagos to Abuja ranged from N21, 000 to N24, 000 for one way, while a two-way ticket costs between N42, 000 to N45, 000, depending on the airline and time of departure.

It was further gathered that an air ticket from Lagos to Port-Harcourt ranged between N26, 000 to N40, 000 for a one-way flight, while the two- way flights go for between N45, 000 and N79, 000, which also depended on the airline and time of departure.

An official of one of the airlines who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that passenger turnout was low because of the current economic situation in the country.
The official, however, noted that despite the hard times facing the country, local flight fares were still at reasonable rates.

“Besides, many passengers are not traveling to visit their loved ones during this time because the two-day holiday is rather short for such visits.

“We may have witnessed more turnout if the holidays were on Thursday and Friday; at least, that will give travellers about four days to celebrate with their loved ones,” he said.

There was also free-flow of traffic in and out of the two terminals, due to the low turnout of passengers recorded on Monday.