The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria says discussions are ongoing with Airlines operators to divert some of their traffic to airports outside Lagos.
The General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, who made this known on Sunday, told journalists that the aim of the discussions is to decongest Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
She however noted that Lagos would remain the hub of airports in the country, adding that rather than congest the airport, airlines could also make use of facilities in other aerodromes across the country.
According to her, Turkish Airlines and Emirates had indicated their readiness to commence scheduled flight operations from Port Harcourt and Abuja, respectively from June, while Air Peace would also begin direct flights to Dubai from Port Harcourt as from April this year.
She noted that Cronos Air was currently operating three weekly frequencies from Port Harcourt while Lufthansa Airlines and Air France both had four and five flights per week respectively, from the same airport.
She disclosed that Air Cote d’Ivoire would commence direct flights from Abuja to its base in Abidjan soon.
She also disclosed that the new terminal at the MMIA, Lagos, would be inaugurated soon.