Stories by Matthew Denis
The Ilorin International Airport on Friday witnessed an upsurge in passengers traffic and flight operations on both Ilorin-Abuja and Ilorin- Lagos routes.
This development is not unconnected with the governorship and states House of Assembly elections that were held on Saturday, as most of the passengers, who are of Kwara origin travelled down to exercise their civic responsibility.
The two commercial flights, Arik Air and Overland Airways operating at the airport, recorded more inbound passengers airlifted into the state than those that were outbound, this medium can report.
When Pilot Aviation visited the airport at 8:30am, it was observed that the Overland Airways on Lagos – Ilorin schedule brought in more passengers than the volume recorded on normal days, which was also lesser than number of outbound travellers for the day.
Also, the return flight, which landed at about 6:30pm had the aircraft filled to capacity.
This medium also observed that Arik Air had over 50 passengers that came in from Abuja to Ilorin.
A large number of travellers were seen waiting inside the arrival hall of the terminal building to receive their luggage at about 6:35pm.
An Airport official, who pleaded anonymity, said that the airlines were fully booked and confirmed increase in traffic and aircraft operations.
He said that the fare slash announced by Arik to encourage voters also made many passengers to book their flights online.
He said: “Today we recorded high volume of traffic because of the public holiday on Friday.
“Though the number is not as much as what was witnessed penultimate week before the botched elections. Many people came into the state by flight for the presidential and National Assembly elections, which was later cancelled .
“I think it’s because many people who travelled last week didn’t come back after the postponement,” he said.
A passenger, Usman Abubakar, who spoke to our reporter, said he was in the state to participate in the elections.
Abubakar urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair and peaceful poll and that the vote of every eligible voter counts.
Another passengers, Mrs. Bose Akande also said that she came to her state of origin to exercise her franchise.
“My advice to INEC and politicians is that both have the responsibility of ensuring that the elections are free, fair and peaceful.
