The Ethiopian airlines on Wednesday opened route for daily International flight operations at the Kaduna international airport, hours before the planned shutdown of the Abuja International airport scheduled for 12:00 midnight on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ethiopian airlines Aircraft, Dream liner Boeing 787 successfully landed at the Kaduna international airport at 11:35 am with 52 passengers on board.

The landing of the Ethiopian Airline is coming few hours before the Wednesday 12:00 midnight deadline for final switch of international flight operations from the Abuja international airport to Kaduna.

The Abuja international airport is scheduled to shut down operations for six weeks beginning on Wednesday at 12:00 midnight for maintenance work on its runway and other air operation facilities.

On landing, passengers on the first flight including Nigerians and foreigners were received by the Minister of State Aviation, Alhaji Hadi Sirika, Kaduna State Government and Federal Airport Authorities of Nigeria (FAAN) officials.

Also on the welcoming party were heads of various security agencies in the state.

Some of the passengers told NAN shortly after their arrival that they were satisfied with the facilities put in place at the Kaduna airport.

Levinus Yakubu, a middle age man who arrived from Dubai told NAN that he was happy to have landed in Kaduna outside the Abuja and Lagos International airports.

He said it was a good development, as there were multiple choices for landing and taking off on international routes.

Meanwhile, agencies including Customs, Immigration and the Police had been stationed to ensure law and order and smooth checks for arriving and departing passengers.

Restaurant and eatery operators including Richbite and Mr Biggs had taken stands to provide foods and drinks to air travelers. Similarly, taxi service operators had also opened for business.