Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), has said that the coming of more commercial airlines to the Asaba International Airport has justified the vision and effort by the state government in building the airport.

Prof. Utuama stated this on Monday while receiving the Managing Director/CEO of Aero, Mr Hugh Fraser, and his team on their maiden flight to the airport.

The state deputy governor, while noting that airport by its very nature generates a city of its own, asserted that the Asaba International Airport is one agent for the diversification of the state’s economy beyond oil, as it is going to boost tourism and commercial life of the people. He added that the city will be occupied by both the big and the small.

Utuama expressed satisfaction that the coming of Aero is historic in that for the first time the airline will be providing connecting flights to international carriers. In his words, “Your coming is justifying the vision and effort in midwifing the construction of the airport. When we began the construction of the airport in 2008, many people felt the government was wasting the state resources and that the airport will not be of immediate benefit to the ordinary man. But today, time has proved those critics wrong and your maiden flight to Asaba. Today has further reinforced the vision of the state government.”

Prof. Utuama, who commended Aero on its research and connecting international flight via Asaba to Lagos and vice versa, said there is a huge pool of passengers in the region. He, on behalf of the state government, assured that government will do everything within its power to give all airlines the necessary support in order to ensure smooth flights in and outside the state.

Earlier, MD/CEO of Aero, Hugh Fraser, in his remark, said the Aero Kano-Abuja, Abuja-Asaba, Asaba-Lagos, and back to Asaba route, is designed to link the northern and southern parts of the country. This, he added, is also designed to help the trading link between the two regions and, most importantly, to link Asaba, Onitsha and other catchment areas of the airport with Lagos and connect flights from Lagos to the rest of the world as well as flying local passengers.

While expressing satisfaction that Aero has officially commenced operations at the Asaba International Airport after many months of research and planning, Fraser assured that Aero will provide real competition, adding that there will be more flights with better fares.

Speaking with newsmen on the occasion, the Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah, and the Project Director, Asaba International Airport, Mr. Austin Ayemidejor, asserted that the landing of Aero at the airport for commercial activities is another milestone in the state government three point agenda.

•Photo shows Prof. Utuama.