Ruth Haines
Sam Mbakwe Airport, also known as Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, is located in southeastern Nigeria. It serves Owerri, the capital city of Imo State. The airport is named after Sam Mbakwe, the first civilian governor of Imo State, who initiated the project. Construction began in 1983 with contributions from the indigenes and people of the state, and it was completed and commissioned on July 15, 1994, by Navy Captain James N.J. Aneke. The airport is a medium-sized airport, accommodating both domestic and international flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sam Mbakwe Airport |
| Other Names | Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Imo State Airport |
| IATA Code | QOW |
| ICAO Code | DNIM |
| Location | Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria |
| Served City | Owerri, Nigeria |
| Runway | 17/35 |
| Size | Medium-sized |
| Type of Flights | Domestic and International |
| Operating Hours | Early morning to late evening |
| Amenities | Shops, restaurants, cafes, lounges, free Wi-Fi |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Sam Mbakwe Airport is in southeastern Nigeria
Sam Mbakwe Airport, also known as Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport or Imo State Airport, is located in southeastern Nigeria. It serves Owerri, the capital city of Imo State. The airport is named after Sam Mbakwe, the first civilian governor of Imo State, who initiated the project. Construction of the airport began in 1983 with contributions from the indigenes of the state and the Igbo community. It was completed and commissioned by Navy Captain James N.J. Aneke on July 15, 1994.
The airport is situated in the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State. It is a medium-sized airport, accommodating both domestic and international flights. Sam Mbakwe Airport operates from early morning to late evening, offering various amenities and services for travellers. These include shops, restaurants, cafes, lounges, and free Wi-Fi.
The airport has one runway, 17/35, and its ICAO airport code is DNIM, while its IATA code is QOW. Nearby airfields include Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt City Airport, Asaba International Airport, and Akwa Ibom International Airport.
Sam Mbakwe Airport is easily accessible from the city centre of Owerri by taxi, ride-sharing services, buses, or shuttles. It experiences peak travel times during holidays, weekends, and travel seasons, so planning ahead and arriving early is advisable to avoid crowds and long wait times.
The airport underwent an upgrade between 2013 and 2014, which included improvements to its infrastructure and communication equipment as part of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) project. Sam Mbakwe Airport is the first state-owned airport and the first community-driven airport project in West Africa.
SFO Airport: TSA PreCheck Availability and Benefits
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It serves Owerri, Imo State
Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, also known as Imo State Airport, serves Owerri, the capital city of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria. It is located in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State. The airport is named after Sam Mbakwe, the first civilian governor of Imo State who initiated the project. It is the first state-owned airport in West Africa and was built with the support and contributions of indigenes of the state and the entire Igbo land.
Owerri, the city served by the airport, is a popular destination with attractions such as the Dan Anyiam Stadium and the Absorption Cathedral. The airport itself offers various amenities for travellers, including shops, restaurants, cafes, and lounges. It also provides free Wi-Fi access and dining options serving both local and international cuisine.
Sam Mbakwe Airport operates both domestic and international flights, accommodating medium-sized aircraft. It has night landing capabilities, but night operations are restricted by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for non-international designated airports, except for pilgrimage flights.
The busiest times at the airport are typically during peak travel seasons, holidays, and weekends. To get to the city centre from the airport, travellers can opt for taxis, ride-sharing services, or public transportation options like buses and shuttles.
Overall, Sam Mbakwe Airport plays a crucial role in connecting Owerri, Imo State to the rest of Nigeria and international destinations, facilitating travel and contributing to the region's accessibility and economic development.
Chicago Airport Shutdown: What's the Reason?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It is named after Sam Mbakwe, the first civilian governor of Imo State
Sam Mbakwe Airport, also known as Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport or Imo State Airport, is located in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. It serves Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, in southeastern Nigeria.
The airport is named after Sam Mbakwe, the first civilian governor of Imo State. The building of the airport began under his administration in 1983, with generous contributions from the indigenes and people of the state, as well as from throughout the Igbo land. While it is the first state-owned airport, it is also notable for being the first community-driven airport project in West Africa.
Sam Mbakwe Airport is a medium-sized airport, accommodating both domestic and international flights. It offers various amenities for travellers, including shops, restaurants, cafes, lounges, and free Wi-Fi. The airport also has night landing capabilities, but night operations are restricted by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for most flights in non-international designated airports.
The busiest times at the airport are typically during peak travel seasons, holidays, and weekends. To get to the city centre from the airport, travellers can take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service, or they can opt for public transportation options such as buses or shuttles.
Airport Security: Your Application Process Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It is a mid-sized airport
Sam Mbakwe Airport, also known as Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport or Imo State Airport, is a mid-sized airport in Imo, Nigeria. The airport serves Owerri, the capital city of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria.
The airport is named after Sam Mbakwe, the first civilian governor of Imo State, who initiated the project. It is the first state-government-built airport, constructed with the support and contributions of the indigenes of the state and the entire Igbo land.
As a mid-sized airport, Sam Mbakwe Airport caters to both domestic and international flights. It operates from early morning until late evening, accommodating flights within these varying time zones. The airport has night landing capabilities, but night operations are typically restricted by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, except for passenger flights during the Hajj pilgrimage.
The airport features various amenities and services for travellers, including shops, restaurants, cafes, lounges, and free Wi-Fi. It also has a single runway, 17/35, and its ICAO airport code is DNIM, while its IATA code is QOW.
Irish in Airports: A Common Sight Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It offers amenities like shops, restaurants, cafes and free Wi-Fi
Sam Mbakwe Airport, also known as Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport or Imo State Airport, is located in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. It serves Owerri, the capital city of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria.
The airport offers a range of amenities and services for travellers, including shops, restaurants, cafes, and
In addition to these amenities, Sam Mbakwe Airport also has a spa hotel nearby, which offers free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. The hotel is conveniently located close to popular attractions such as Dan Anyiam Stadium and Absorption Cathedral.
The airport operates from early morning until late evening, accommodating both domestic and international flights. It is a medium-sized airport, serving as the first state-owned airport and the first community-driven airport project in West Africa.
To get to the city centre from the airport, travellers can take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service. There are also public transportation options such as buses or shuttles available.
JFK Airport: Reliable Hub or Flight Risk?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Sam Mbakwe Airport is located in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria.
Sam Mbakwe Airport is also known as Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Imo State Airport, and Owerri Nigeria Airport.
Sam Mbakwe Airport is the first state-owned airport in West Africa and the first community-driven airport project in the region. It was built from generous contributions of indigenes and people of the state.
The airport features shops, restaurants, cafes, lounges, and free Wi-Fi for entertainment or work.
