Anambra State Government said it is exploring options, including partnership and establishing an airline to push for the sustainability of its Chinua Achebe International Airport, in Umueri, near the state capital.
Its Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike disclosed this in an interview in Lagos.
She said the state government is considering many models ranging from collaboration to full ownership of a carrier to increase passenger footfalls into the facility.
To achieve this, she said the state government has received proposals from over 30 concessionaires aimed at driving business expansion and creating long-term viability.
According to Igwebuike, the airport has experienced significant growth since its inception.
She said : “In the last three years, Chinua Achebe International Airport has handled 5,700 flights and catered to 343,000 passengers. This progress reflects the growing demand for both passenger and cargo services, as Anambra is a commercial hub.”
She explained that the cargo component of the airport’s operations is driven by the state’s strong business sector.
“Anambra is a state of traders. We build, we sell, and statistics show that over 50 per cent of imports to southern Nigeria end up in Anambra. This is the core idea behind the establishment of Chinua Achebe International Airport.”
To further enhance traffic and meet the needs of travelers, Igwebuike disclosed the ongoing discussions with various airlines.
“We are in talks with Ibom Air and ValueJet because we have noticed increasing demand for flights in and out of Anambra. We also understand that the governor is a numbers man. So, we are analyzing the data to determine whether the state should float its own airline or partner with an existing carrier. The demand is there, and we are exploring all options to meet it.”
Presently, Air Peace and United Airlines operate from the airport. However, Igwebuike emphasized that more airlines are welcome. “At the moment, we have United and Air Peace, but we are open to other airlines coming into our space,” she added.
The airport is also on the verge of becoming a business hub, as over 30 concessionaires have submitted proposals to develop various aspects of the airport’s infrastructure.
“These concessionaires are interested in building hotels, restaurants, sightseeing areas, and even cargo-related facilities. We are an oil and gas producing state, and investors are interested in setting up tank farms. So, the potential for growth is immense. Anambra is young, but we are developing rapidly, and we have experts in place to help realize our vision.”
Igwebuike further elaborated on the state government’s plans to integrate the airport into a broader, multi-modal transportation system.
“We are not just focused on air transport. Anambra also has a seaport, the Onitsha River Port, which is fully operational. In addition, we are completing the feasibility study for a railway network. Our vision is to align with Nigeria’s national transportation policy by developing a fully connected transport system. The Chinua Achebe International Airport will be part of this integrated solution, which includes road, rail, and water transport.”
On the issue of competition from nearby airports in Delta, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo states, Igwebuike clarified that the focus is on collaboration, not rivalry.
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“We are not competing with neighboring airports; instead, we are complementing each other. The cluster of airports in this region will provide better services for travelers. Dallas in the United States, for instance, has ten airports, and all of them are viable. That’s the model we envision here. Anambra, Enugu, Delta, and Imo airports can all thrive by sharing the passenger load and offering complementary services.”
She emphasized that the large population of Nigeria presents an opportunity for all airports to operate successfully.
“Nigeria has over 200 million people, and all of them are potential passengers. No single airport can serve the entire population. Even Lagos, with all its flights, doesn’t handle 200 million passengers. The demand is there, and we have room to grow.”
Igwebuike reiterated her optimism for the airport’s future and its role in transforming the state’s economy.
“Chinua Achebe International Airport is just the beginning. The future is bright for Anambra. We are creating a multi-modal transport system that will drive economic growth and make the state a major player in Nigeria’s aviation and transportation sectors.”
