Since last month when Port Harcourt Airport building was commissioned and and all airlines operating at the airport were ordered to move into the building, it is still not in use.
No airline has moved into the building, inspite of the order given by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Hamisu Yadudu, for all airlines operating at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, to move  into the newly commissioned airlines building immediately, during the commissioning of the building early December.
The Tide check showes that all the airlines are still occupying their former place of business, and are still operating from the terminal building of the airport.
Rather than commence efforts to relocate to the new airlines building, the airline operators have stayed put at the terminal building, seven weeks after the FAAN boss’ directive to relocate immediately.
Yadudu had during the commissioning of the airlines building directed the Port Harcourt Airport Manager and Regional Geñeral Manager, South-South of FAAN, Felix Akinbinu, to immediately ensure that the airlines begin to use the building.
The FAAN boss, who was represented by the Director of Airport Operations, Capt. Mutar Munye, at the commissioning, noted the importance of the building, and how airline operators have been squeezing themselves at the terminal building for a long time.
He specifically noted that the airline building that was commissioned has come as a relief to both the airlines and the management of the airport, and will settle the lingering accommodation problem.
Unfortunately, the whole thing appears to be in the opposite, as the airlines seem not to be interested in the new building, and prefer operating from the terminal as usual.
Reasons for their unwillingness to relocate to the new accommodation could not be immediately assertained, as some of the airlines officers contacted could not open up to comment on the matter.
However, feelers from some airlines staff, who reluctantly commented pointed distance as the major factor for not making use of the building yet.
They said the FAAN management could still rectify the gap, by addressing the issue of distance to the terminal building, saying it will create a serious problem for the airlines in meeting up with the demand of checking-in passengers, since the building is far across the airport’s major road.

By: Corlins Walter