Flight operations to resume between Malabo, Calabar

Equatorial Guinea will soon commence direct flight from Malabo to Margaret Ekpo international Airport, Calabar as soon as all ongoing necessary negotiations have been done.

The airport manager Margret Ekpo international Airport, Mr. Sunday Olusegun Ayodele who disclosed this in an interview said, meetings with consulate general of Equitoral Guinea was ongoing stressing that flight operations between the two countries will pick up before the end of the year.

According to him, all the necessary requirements for international flights, the immigrations, customs and other agencies were already on ground to facilitate passengers movements.

Ayodele explained that the airport has been an international airport until international flights were suspended by the government.

“We have the facilities, the international wing comprising that arrivals and departure halls are there. We have held meetings with the consulate general and we are hoping that before the end of the year they will start flying into Calabar”

Ayodele also revealed that the state government was planning to float the state owned airline, CaliAir that will start operations before the end of the year.

The airport manager appealed to the government of Cross River state government to come to the aid of the airport by assisting in the areas of infrastructure and operations,

While commending the state government for its support in providing a car for the airport appeal for provision of a patrol van to enhance their activities stressing the need for collaboration with them to get the airport covered with perimeter fence.

Ayodele who decried the poor power situation at the airport lamented that the primary source of power has remained the secondary source which has eaten deep into the finances is the airport as regards the purchase of diesel to power generators.

He commended the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for the provision of regular funds for the purchase of diesel to power generators..

Ayodele also announced plans to generate funds for the airport though non aeronautical service such as developing a bigger car park and an event centre while the abandoned airline office block will be completed and put into use to generate revenue as soon as the legal issue on it was lifted.

He appealed to air travellers to bear with them saying that the contractor handing the project has returned to site.
 

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo