Domestic airlines say they recorded low patronage on Saturday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, due to the Eid-El-Kabir celebrations. According to reports, few passengers were seen at the airport's departure hall purchasing tickets, while the counters of some airlines were empty. A ticketing officer of one of the airlines who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the airlines had recorded low ticket sales during the period, describing the situation as "frustrating."
He attributed the low patronage to the Eid-El-Kabir holiday.
The officer, however, said the patronage of the airlines increased on Thursday and Friday, as travellers jostled for air tickets.
"We made a lot of money on Thursday and Friday because we had a lot of people who were travelling," he said. "I hope that by Sunday, business will become normal."
At the General Aviation Terminal of the airport, workers were idle because of the low patronage. A passenger, Victor Osunde, however, said that the drop in passenger traffic was expected.
"It is a normal thing during festive periods," he said. "Most people have already travelled on Thursday and Friday, that is why you see the terminal so empty."
According to reports, international airlines were not affected by the low patronage as hundreds of travellers were seen waiting to catch their flights out of the country.