Nsimalen: About 500 flights in 3 weeks

Activities have returned to normal after three weeks of heavy traffic sequel to the closure of the Douala International Airport.

Low-scale air traffic is gradually returning to the Nsimalen International Airport after three weeks of intensive activity sequel to the rehabilitation and solidification of airport pavements (runway, aircraft taxiways, and aprons) at the Douala International Airport.

Nsimalen Airport officials and staff are now heaving a sigh of relief owing to the fact that traffic has reduced. The Station Manager of the Nsimalen International Airport, Martial Essomba Ndongo, disclosed that the platform hosted over 500 regular flights from March 2-21, 2016. He stated that aircraft belonging to over 17 airline companies taxied at the airport, up from nine. The airport on regular basis hosts 210 flights within three weeks, the passenger level usually stands at 50,000 within the same period but went up to 65,000. Management and airport officials are now counting blessings, rejoicing that no major incident occurred.

At the airport vicinity yesterday March 22, 2016, flight frequencies had reduced from minutes to hours intervals. Airport’s attendants now service passengers as in the days of old with little or no pressure. “We are respecting our normal flight schedule,” said the Station Manager. By 9:25 am, the first aircraft had taken off, with passengers of the second flight already checking in for Nairobi.

Meanwhile, the main hall of the airport was pretty busy, with queues of luggage waiting for check-in. Workers expressed satisfaction for contributing to the three-week exercise that went on hitch-free. It was more of an experience gaining exercise that turnout to be successful, they all agree. The huge challenge was surmounted. It was a premier that the Douala International Airport that hosts 70 per cent of air traffic has never witnessed, said the management of the Nsimalen International Airport. Martial Essomba Ndongo said it is a huge task being the lone entry and exit route into the country.

The atmosphere is calm, although Martial Essomba Ndongo stressed that peak hours (evenings) are likely to witness some heavy traffic. Cargo planes like Boeing 747 will continue to land at the Nsimalen International Airport as the Douala International Airport is only opened partially. He pointed out that the Douala International Airport’s runway measures only 2,850 metres as against 3,400 metres for the Nsimalen International Airport which makes it difficult for cargo planes to land in Douala for lack of appropriate distance.

Some airline companies that temporarily lodged at the airport vicinity are gradually packing their bags back to the Douala. The offices, sources say, will remain in place, but for different purposes. Transport agencies that set up base at the airport have deserted the vicinity.