Airlines confirm flights suspension on election day

For those planning to have trips on February 25, 2023 Nigeria’s Presidential and National Assembly Election Day there will be no airline operating as operators are already putting up notices.

Although it is a clear matter since there is no movement on Election Day, many a time, passengers who have pre-booked flights may think it does not relate to them.

Already, Ibom Air has put out a statement to this effect, “This is to inform you that Ibom Air will not be operating on Saturday, 25th February, 2023. This is due to the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to take place on this day. Normal operations will commence on 26th February, 2023.

Air Peace in a statement to the public titled ‘No scheduled flight operations on February 25, 2023’ told members of the public that there will be no scheduled flights on February 25, 2023, due to the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

It said scheduled flight operations resume on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

A source with Arik Air, one of Nigeria’s major carriers, equally told journalists that the airline would not fly on the 25th due to the elections.

Dana Air also has confirmed that it will not have any flights but would return after the elections.

Passengers, according to one operator, need to also understand that the no movement does not give operators, pilots, cabin crew, flight dispatchers, ground handlers, caterers, oil marketers and all the components that make a successful flight avenue to meet their demands.

“An election is a national event and since airlines are of this nation, it stands to reason that any law guiding the elections equally guides us. Our democracy is not as ripe as that of the United States where they do not halt everything to vote.”

This directive may not affect foreign airlines’ flying into the country as they may choose to operate their schedules and drop passengers in the country to find their way.

It is also learnt that Air Traffic Controllers ( ATC) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) would be on duty as essential services to guide aircraft as over-flyers or into the Nigerian airspace.