Airport Locations In Nigeria: A Comprehensive Guide

where is the airport in nigeria

Nigeria has 22 airports, including domestic and international airports. The Murtala Muhammed International Airport is the most prominent and busiest airport in Nigeria, with around 27 airlines operating and serving flights to and from 43 destinations. It is located approximately 14.1 km from Lagos, the country's most populous city. The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is the second busiest airport in the country, handling around 4.88 million passengers annually. It is located in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.

Characteristics Values
Number of Airports 22
Busiest Airport Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Second Busiest Airport Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
Third Busiest Airport Unspecified
Airport with Most Destinations Murtala Muhammed International Airport (43)
Airport with Most Airlines Murtala Muhammed International Airport (27)
Airport with Most Passengers Unspecified
Airport in Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Airport in Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
Airport in Kano Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
Airport in Rivers State Port Harcourt International Airport
Airport in Enugu Akanu Ibiam International Airport
Airport in Kwara Ilorin International Airport
Airport in Kaduna Kaduna Airport
Airport in Sokoto Sadiq Abubakar III International Airport
Airport in Maiduguri Maiduguri International Airport
Airport in Uyo and Oron Victor Attah International Airport

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Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport is located in Ikeja, a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. It is situated about 12 kilometres (7 miles) northwest of Lagos city centre, making it the major airport serving the city and the surrounding region. The airport consists of an international terminal and a domestic terminal, with each terminal about one kilometre from each other. The airport is home to Nigeria's largest airline, Air Peace, as well as several other Nigerian airlines. It features two main runways that are shared by all four terminals.

The airport is accessible via public transport, but taxis are generally the most convenient and safest way to get to and from the airport. Driving directions from central Lagos involve heading west on Bailey Street towards the northbound Ikorodu Road (A1), which leads directly to the airport entrance. The drive typically takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport has had a history of safety concerns. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the international terminal was considered dangerous, with security conditions not meeting ICAO minimum standards. However, security improvements were made, and by 2010, the airport received the FAA's highest safety rating.

The airport has witnessed several aviation incidents, including crashes and collisions. Notable incidents include the 1992 Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules crash, the 1996 ADC Airlines Flight 086 disaster, and the 2005 Bellview Airlines Flight 210 crash, all of which resulted in fatalities. Despite these challenges, the airport has undergone substantial improvements and continues to serve as a vital gateway to Lagos and Nigeria for travellers from around the world.

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Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, commonly known as Abuja Airport, is the main airport serving Nigeria's capital, Abuja. Located approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) southwest of the city centre, it acts as the primary gateway to the capital city, connecting it to over 60 destinations across Nigeria, Africa, and the world. The airport is named after Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria's first president and a prominent figure in the country's independence movement.

The airport features an international and a domestic terminal that share a single runway. The existing terminal, which previously served both domestic and international flights, now caters exclusively to domestic operations, while a new terminal built in 2000 by Julius Berger handles international flights. Abuja Airport offers various transportation options for travellers, including an airport train station, taxis, ride-hailing services, and car rentals.

Abuja Airport provides essential amenities to enhance passenger comfort and convenience. Lounges are available in both the domestic and international terminals, offering facilities such as disabled access, TV, internet, refreshments, air conditioning, and, in some cases, complimentary alcohol. Throughout the airport, passengers can access ATMs for cash withdrawals and currency exchange services. A range of dining options are also available, with restaurants and cafes located in both the public and secure areas of the terminals.

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport has experienced several significant events throughout its history. In 2006, the Abuja Gateway Consortium signed a contract worth US$101.1 million for the airport's management over 25 years, including plans for an airport hotel, private car parks, shopping malls, and a bonded warehouse. In 2017, the airport underwent emergency rehabilitation work on its runway, which had been in use beyond its intended lifespan. Additionally, Abuja Airport has witnessed several air crashes, including the ADC Airlines Flight 053 crash in 2006 and the Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft B300 King Air 350i crash in 2021, both occurring shortly after takeoff.

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Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano

Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (IATA: KAN, ICAO: DNKN) is an international airport serving Kano, the capital city of Kano State, Nigeria. The airport is named after the 20th-century politician Aminu Kano and is the oldest airport in Nigeria, with operations starting in 1936. Before Nigerian independence, it was a Royal Air Force station.

The airport is the main airport serving northern Nigeria, catering to the large Sudanese community in Kano and Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca. It has an international and a domestic terminal, with the latter's construction being commissioned on 23 May 2011. The airport serves 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 lie between the two runways, with the main terminal and control tower serving international flights and domestic services operated by Arik Air.

Facilities in the departure lounge are limited, with a newsstand and a small bar. There is also a VIP lounge for business-class passengers. The airport has experienced several incidents and crashes, including the Kano Air Disaster in 1973, where 176 out of 202 passengers and crew on board an Alia Boeing 707-320C died during an attempted landing in high winds. In 2002, an EAS Airlines Flight 4226 twin-engine jet crashed upon takeoff, killing 73 passengers and crew and 30 people on the ground.

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Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State

Port Harcourt International Airport (IATA: PHC, ICAO: DNPO) is located in Omagwa, Port Harcourt, the capital of the southern state of Rivers in Nigeria. The airport was established to enhance connectivity in Rivers State and support the region's economic growth. It has a landmass of 2,687 hectares and was commissioned for operations in 1978. It was upgraded to international airport status in 1984 and has since undergone several phases of expansion and modernisation to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and cargo volumes.

The airport currently features two terminals, one each for international and domestic flights. The new international terminal was commissioned by the executive president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, in October 2018. The old terminal is being renovated to handle domestic and commercial aircraft operations. The single asphalt-surfaced runway at the airport is 9,846ft (3,001m) long and 197ft (60m) wide, with landing and take-off distances of 9,846ft (3,001m) and 10,246ft (3,123m), respectively.

The airport has experienced several notable incidents. On 17 December 1996, an MK Airlines DC-8-55F arriving from Luxembourg struck trees, landed short of the runway, and burned. Fortunately, all four crew members survived. On 27 November 2001, an MK Airlines Boeing 747-200F crashed in bad weather while approaching the airport, resulting in the death of one crew member. On 6 June 2005, an Air France Airbus A330 carrying approximately 200 passengers collided with a herd of cows shortly after landing, but thankfully, there were no fatalities, and the aircraft was not significantly damaged.

In August 2006, the airport was closed for emergency repairs to overhaul the runway and build a fence around the facility. It reopened in December 2007 with limited capacity, and full operations resumed by early 2018. In 2015, the airport gained notoriety for being declared the worst in the world, but improvements have been made since then, including the construction of a new passenger terminal.

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Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu

Nigeria has five international airports, one of which is the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, also known as Enugu Airport. The airport is located in Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, and is named after the late Akanu Ibiam (1906–1995), a medical doctor and statesman from Afikpo in Ebonyi State. Enugu is reputed as the 'coal city', a name that dates back to when it was the centre of a flourishing coal mining industry.

The airport serves Enugu and several nearby cities, including Abakaliki, Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Afikpo, Okigwe, Nsukka, Ugep, Orlu, Idah, Otukpo, and Ogoja. It is strategically located at Emene, the primary industrial hub in Enugu. The airport also plays host to the Nigerian Air Force Base, which includes the Ground Training Command, 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group, 541 Comms Group, 553 Base Services Group, and the International Helicopter Flying School.

Akanu Ibiam International Airport was closed on February 10, 2010, by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the first phase of major renovation and expansion works. The airport reopened on December 16, 2010, but the second and third phases of construction are still ongoing.

The airport is owned and operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and has the IATA code ENU and the ICAO code DNEN.

Frequently asked questions

Murtala Muhammed International Airport is Nigeria's most prominent and busiest airport, with around 5 million international passengers and 3 million domestic passengers. It is located 14.1 km from Lagos, Nigeria's most populous city.

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja is the second busiest airport in Nigeria, handling around 4.88 million passengers annually. Others include Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport, and Victor Attah International Airport.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport is the main base for Nigeria's largest airline, Air Peace, which serves 20 flight destinations. Other airlines include Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Nigeria Airways, and Afrijet Airlines.

The airport has had a history of security concerns, with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posting warnings about the airport in the 1990s. However, security has improved significantly since then, with the FAA ending its suspension of direct flights in 2001.

There have been several aviation incidents involving the airport, including a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules crash in 1992, an ADC Airlines Flight 086 crash in 1996, and a Bellview Airlines Flight 210 crash in 2005.

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