The Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) has called on Kano international businessmen and the wealthy to patronise the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, so as to attract more foreign airlines.
Usman Darma, the first Vice President, KACCIMA, made the call as part of resolutions at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting, on Tuesday, in Kano.
Darma said the low patronage by wealthy individuals, business people and government officials in the state had forced some of the airlines to suspend their operations at the airport.
He explained that if these categories of people in the state traveled on international routes, through the airport, more foreign airlines would be attracted to maintain their operations at the airport, thereby generating more revenue for government.
He added that KACCIMA would undertake an advocacy visit to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, to solicit for an Executive Order for all government officials and Kano international businessmen to patronise the airport.
“One of the major issues that discouraged passengers from patronising the airport was the unnecessary investigations by the Nigerian Customs.
“Such issues always keep passengers for a very long time at the airport, before being cleared by the customs and other security agents, which discourages customers from patronising the airport.
“Because, whenever they travelled through other airports, they hardly faced such challenges, that is why they opt to travel from there,” he said.
The KACCIMA vice president appealed to travel agencies to sensitize passengers on how to book for subsidised tickets, calling on air travelers to also report any case of maltreatment by the travel agencies, to the committee set up by the chamber, for further action.
He further commended the Federal and state governments, as well as National Assembly members, from the state, for their prompt intervention to facilitate the re-opening of the airport’s international wing.
NAN recalls that the airport, which was closed for about a year now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is billed to be re-opened on April 5, 2021.