- Akure Airport Records Steady Passenger Growth
The Akure Airport Manager, Mrs Cecilia Oguama, says passengers’ traffic at the airport has been growing steadily in the past one year.
She stated that before now, the airport recorded low traffic of about 20 passengers monthly, adding that passenger traffic had grown to thousands.
“Passenger traffic has increased tremendously. There was a time we had 10 people, 20 people; but right now, we have passengers in thousands, and 4,500 people per month,” she said.
The manager attributed the growth to the commencement of flights by Air Peace following a partnership arrangement between the airline and the Ondo State Government.
She added that the new terminal building with a sitting capacity of 100, which was put into use about two months ago, also contributed to passenger growth as airports users found the terminal more comfortable.
She said interest in the transportation of perishable goods through the airport had also increased and expressed the hope that the abandoned cargo airport would be included in the 2019 budget to get the contractors back to site.
“We have suppliers coming to make enquiries about the cargo airport; this state is known for agriculture and most of their produce is taken by road. So they come to the airport for enquiries on the transportation of their goods,” Oguama said.
While commending the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for the quick response to issues at the airport, she said grass cutting had remained the greatest challenge at the airport with a need for urgent response.
