The Akanu Ibiam International Airport is one of the airports that would receive increased passenger and cargo movement this Yuletide season, as air travellers from different parts of the country and overseas travel to the countryside for the holiday.
According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), at the end of every year, airports in South East and South South parts of the country record over 40 per cent increase in passenger traffic.
During this period, airlines increase their frequencies to the airports located in Benin, Calabar, Asaba, Enugu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Warri and there is also hike in airfares, as there is increase in ticket demand.
THISDAY spoke to the Enugu Airport Manager, Mrs. Cecilia Ogwuama, who said that the management of FAAN at the airport has put things in place to host more passengers in December.
She said the airlines that operate to the airport have already increased their flights for the Yuletide season and during that period aircraft would have high load factor so the airport management has put things in place to prepare for the upsurge.
Ogwuama also told THISDAY that she had held meeting with security agencies that work at the airport on how to protect the passengers during the period.
“In getting prepared to welcome more passengers during the Christmas season we have procured more seats for travellers, improved the public address system and we have also provided two boarding areas,” she said.
The Airport Manager also disclosed that Ethiopian Airlines, which conducts the only international flights to the airport, has indicated that it would increase its frequency to daily flights in order to meet the demand of travellers from all over the world that head to Nigeria and Enugu during the period.
“So we have looked at the schedule and how to manage our existing space. Ethiopian Airlines has told us that towards the end of November its flight would come with full passenger and cargo load. We are prepared to welcome them,” she added.
THISDAY learnt that the international terminal being built at the airport has reached 65 per cent completion and may become ready for operation in 2022.
THISDAY
