The Ethiopian Airlines successfully landed its aircraft at the Kaduna International airport today, hours before the planned shutdown of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja scheduled for 12: 00 midnight on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Ethiopian airlines Aircraft, Dream liner Boeing 787 landed at the Kaduna airport at 11:35 a.m with 52 passengers on board.
The Abuja airport is scheduled to shut down for six weeks to enable maintenance on its runway and other facilities.
On landing, passengers on the first flight including Nigerians and foreigners were received by the Minister of State for Aviation, Alhaji Hadi Sirika, and officials of Kaduna State Government and Federal Airport Authorities of Nigeria (FAAN).
Also in the welcoming party were heads of various security agencies in the state.
Some of the passengers told NAN shortly after their arrival that they were satisfied with the facilities put in place at the Kaduna airport.
Levinus Yakubu, a middle aged man who arrived from Dubai told NAN that he was happy to have landed in Kaduna outside the Abuja and Lagos International airports.
He said it was a good development, as Kaduna has increased the choices for landing and taking off on international routes.
The Customs, Immigration and the Police have been stationed to ensure law and order and smooth checks for arriving and departing passengers.
NAN reports that eateries including Richbite and Mr Biggs had taken stands to provide foods and drinks to travelers.
Similarly, taxi service operators have also opened for business.
