Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited will today, (Wednesday) resume flight operations to the Nigeria Air Force Base, Port Harcourt.
The airline, in a statement on Tuesday, said it would use a Fokker 50 aircraft for the operations.
The airline said it would operate three daily direct flights between Lagos and Port Harcourt, while the Owerri operations would also be strengthened to cater for Owerri and neighbouring states� passengers.
The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Conrad Clifford said, �It has become imperative for us to immediately resume operations on the Port Harcourt route using the NAF Base in response to passengers� demand of having direct access to Port Harcourt without having to make the journey from Owerri to their base by road, thereby reducing risk elements in their travels.�
�Virgin Nigeria places emphasis on safety and security of passengers and we are constantly reviewing our operations to meet the expectations of our passengers.�
Conrad noted that the airline carried out all necessary airworthiness surveys on the Fokker 50 aircraft before leasing it.
�The aircraft has also been duly certified airworthy by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority after due diligence and compliance with the mandatory pre-arrival safety inspection,� he stated.
It will be recalled that the NCAA, in September 2006 shut down the Port Harcourt Airport to enable the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria commence the rehabilitation of the airport.
As an alternative, it diverted all Port Harcourt-bound flights to the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, because of its proximity in distance to Port Harcourt and its capacity to accommodate bigger aircraft.