Nigeria's Aviation Industry: Airports And Beyond

Nigeria has 32 airports, 26 of which are operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and 9 of which are international airports. The country's largest airline, Air Peace, is based at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State, which is also the country's busiest airport. Other international airports include Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, which services Nigeria's capital city of Abuja, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, located in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Nigeria has 32 airports, 26 of which are operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Five of these are international airports, and there is one state-owned airport in Akwa Ibom State.

In recent years, the airport has undergone substantial improvements. Malfunctioning infrastructure, such as air conditioning and luggage belts, has been repaired, and new restaurants and duty-free stores have opened. The airport has also received the FAA's highest safety rating. On 6 September 2012, the Federal Government of Nigeria approved a N106 billion loan from the Exim Bank of China to construct five new international terminals, including a passenger terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport

Nigeria has 32 airports, 26 of which are operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Five of these are international airports, including the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, which is located in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. The airport is named after Nigeria's first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904–1996), a foremost nationalist and one of the country’s founding fathers. It is located approximately 20 km (12 mi) southwest or west of the city centre and has two terminals—one for international flights and the other for domestic flights—that share a single runway.

The airport was built in the early 2000s and opened in 2002, with a new terminal built in 2000 by Julius Berger located near the existing terminal. This new terminal, which opened in 2002, now serves international flights, while the old terminal serves domestic flights. In November 2006, the Abuja Gateway Consortium signed a US$101.1 million contract for the management of the airport, which included the construction of an airport hotel, private car parks, shopping malls, and a bonded warehouse.

On January 4, 2017, the airport was closed for six weeks to enable emergency repairs on its runway, which had been built to last 20 years but had been in use for nearly 40 years. The Nigerian government approved N1 billion for the conclusion of the Kaduna Airport terminal as an alternative for Abuja Airport during this period. The airport reopened on April 17, 2017, two days ahead of schedule, and a new terminal building was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 20, 2018.

Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport

Nigeria has 32 airports, 26 of which are operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Five of these are international airports, and there is one state-owned airport in Akwa Ibom State. The country also has a number of airfields and airstrips built by the Nigerian Air Force and multinational oil companies.

One of the international airports in Nigeria is the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, located in the capital city of Kano State in North West, Nigeria. It is the main airport serving Northern Nigeria and is named after the 20th-century politician Aminu Kano. The airport has an international and a domestic terminal, and it is the oldest in the country, with operations starting in 1936.

Before Nigeria gained independence, the airport was a Royal Air Force station. In its early decades, it served as a crucial fuel stop for airlines flying long-haul routes between Europe and Africa. However, with advancements in aircraft technology, such fuel stops became less necessary, and the decline of the Kano economy in the late 20th century led to a decrease in international airlines serving the airport.

The airport caters to both civilian and military flights. Runway 06/24 is primarily used for civilian flights, while runway 05/23 serves the Nigerian Air Force base located on the airport's south side. The terminal facilities are situated between the two runways, with the main terminal and control tower handling international flights and domestic services operated by Arik Air. The airport's facilities are basic, with a newsstand and a small bar in the departure lounge.

The Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport has experienced several aviation incidents, including the Kano Air Disaster in 1973, when an Alia Boeing 707-320C crashed during landing, resulting in the deaths of 176 passengers and crew. In 2002, another crash during takeoff claimed the lives of 73 passengers and crew, as well as 30 people on the ground.

Port Harcourt International Airport

Nigeria has 32 airports, 26 of which are operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Five of these are international airports, and there is one state-owned airport in Akwa Ibom State.

The airport has experienced several incidents and accidents over the years. In 2005, Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 crashed at the airport, resulting in only two survivors out of 110 passengers and crew. Another notable incident occurred in 2019 when an Air Peace Boeing 737, carrying 87 passengers and 6 crew members, exited the runway during landing in heavy rain. More recently, in 2023, a Value Jet CRJ900 Bombardier airline slipped off the runway, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members.

The airport has undergone various repairs and upgrades to improve safety and functionality. In 2006, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority closed the airport for emergency repairs to overhaul the runway and build a fence. The airport reopened in December 2007 with restricted operations until the new CAT III lighting system became fully operational in 2008. Construction of a new passenger terminal began in 2015, and it officially opened in 2018.

Anambra International Cargo Airport

Nigeria has 32 airports, 26 of which are operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Five of these are international airports, and there is one state-owned airport in Akwa Ibom State. There are also airstrips and airfields across the country, built by the Nigerian Air Force and multinational oil companies.

The Anambra International Cargo/Passenger Airport is located in Umueri, in the Anambra East Local Government Area. The airport was inaugurated in October 2021 by Governor Willie Obiano, who expressed his fulfilment in establishing the airport after more than 30 years of the creation of Anambra State. The airport has been described as having some of the best facilities in the country and, Sub-Saharan Africa, with a 3.7km runway and a 34.4m control tower.

Despite the inauguration, no aircraft landed at the airport during the ceremony, which was a disappointment to many. It was reported that the aviation regulatory authority, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), did not approve the take-off of two commercial flights that were scheduled to land at the airport from Lagos and Abuja. There were also allegations of political pressure influencing the federal authorities' decision to stop the inauguration.

Five airlines have been approved to operate at the airport: Airpeace Nig. Ltd., United Nigeria Airline Ltd., Dana Airline Ltd., Ibom Airline Ltd., and Anab Jet Ltd. The airport is expected to boost economic development and connectivity in the region.

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