With effect from midnight today, the Federal Government will no longer tolerate domestic flight operations from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
The government has accordingly advised all intending domestic air passengers to use only the domestic airport terminals.
It also appealed for the understanding and cooperation of all domestic passengers to ensure the smooth conclusion of this exercise.
The Federal Government had on August 4, 2008 given Virgin Nigeria Airways Ltd, the only airline still operating domestic flight from the International Airport a seven-day final relocation notice, which expires at midnight today.
While reacting to the order last week, Virgin Nigeria confirmed the receipt of a letter signed by the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun advising the airline to relocate all its domestic operations from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport to the MMA2 within the next seven days.
“You may recall that this matter is currently before the court of law and therefore subjudice”, management of the airline said.
However, the airline might have reconsidered its position as indications emerged on Sunday that Virgin Nigeria may relocate its domestic operations from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos to the Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal 2 (MMA2).
A visit by our correspondent to the MMA2 terminal on Sunday afternoon showed that the airline might have concluded arrangements to move its domestic operations to that terminal.
The airline’s logo and name appeared on three display screens at the extreme end of the departure hall on the right side, occupying three check-in counters.
A source told Daily Independent that the officials of the airline inspected facilities at the terminal last week in preparations for the movement.
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on January 31, 2008 restrained the Federal Ministry of Transportation (Aviation) and other relevant Agencies including the FAAN from forcefully relocating Virgin Nigeria’s domestic operations pending the determination on notice of the order brought before the court.
Virgin Nigeria had raised concerns over the violation of the fundamental basis of its formation, which is creating a hub in Lagos as stipulated by the Federal Ministry of Aviation (on behalf of the FGN) and its technical Partners.
Another key concern presented to the judge by Virgin Nigeria over the proposed relocation was the safety operational status of the Murtala Mohammed Airport domestic terminal 2.
Granting the exparte order, Justice Ibrahim Auta referred to the Memorandum of Mutual undertaking (MMU), which recognises that Virgin Nigeria has a legal right to carry out domestic, regional and international flight operations from its hub at Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
He also cited the IATA report of November 7, 2007 which rated the MM2 as falling below operational safety standards.
The President of Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson also called on President Umaru Yar’Adua to intervene in the directive to forcefully eject Virgin Nigeria from its operational base at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos as it violates the article of formation of the flag carrier which was signed by representatives of the Federal Government and himself.
In a personal letter to the President on January 30 2008, Branson had sought Yar’ Adua’s intervention to review the directive as it would be counter productive for the airline to mount safe operations from the Murtala Mohammed Airport 2 terminal.
“The directive to split Virgin Nigeria’s domestic operations from its regional and international operations will put the achievements of the airline at risk as the ability for Virgin Nigeria to operate all services out of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport is a core condition of the Memorandum of Mutual Undertaking (MMU) which is the basis of the set up of the airline”, Branson said.
He noted further that operating from one terminal is an absolute requirement for any national airline hoping to create an effective hub operation that will eventually allow the airline to compete effectively on a world stage.
Managing director of Bi-Courtney, operators of MMA2, Alex Van-Elk said the management has put in place everything necessary for the airline to begin operations from the terminal.
Van Elk said Bi- Courtney believes in partnerships that promote and propel the Nigerian economy.
“It is in that spirit, of nation building that we call on Virgin Nigeria to join hands with us and work towards improving and upgrading the aviation sector in Nigeria”, he said.