September 10, (THEWILL) – A total of 124,000 passengers were processed by the management of the Osubi airport, Warri, Delta State, between January and June 2024.
Also, 2,051 aircraft movements were recorded during the same period.
Mr Winston Egwuatu, Osubi airport manager, who disclosed this at the just concluded Aviation Business Summit and Expo 2024, in Lagos, said passenger traffic has drastically improved since they took over the running of the airport in March 2021.
The airport manager informed that revenue generation at the airport between January and June 2024 was N831,374,521.74 comprising aeronautic and non-aeronautic sources.
Egwuatu said revenue collection performance stood at N731,397,265.05 between January and June this year, while total expenditure for the same period stood at N676, 643,455.27.
He also noted that Osubi airport, as a Public Private Partnership Venture (PPP), has provided a model as the number one in the nation’s aviation industry stressing that the airport was not originally built for commercial operations and now carries out commercial activities.
He equally stressed that there was the need for more infrastructural development and upgrade of the existing ones assuring that the management of Osubi Airport is ever-ready to facilitate symbiotic relationship.
Egwuatu said in line with FAAN core values, which are safety, security and comfort, the Osubi airport management has provided an enabling environment for businesses to thrive such with the provision of a 250kva static ups inverter, which provides regular power supply when no primary and secondary power sources.
“A fuel dump for reserve, in case of scarcity in the market. And a solar powered street light for night business, construction of police station to boost investor confidence on the area of security and provision of additional perimeter fencing to guarantee a secure business environment.”
On investment in Osubi airport, Egwuatu revealed that a large expanse of land of about 10,764,900 square metres is available for the establishment of various businesses with the availability of operating space for more airlines
According to him, Air Peace and Arik Air both operate daily flights to Lagos and Abuja, while Green Africa, overland and United Nigeria Airlines have all indicated to resume operations soon.
“There is room to accommodate more airlines that wish to operate and do business from Osubi (Aeronautical aspect)”.
The ongoing extension of terminal one, the airport manager said would provide space for a VIP lounge, a retail shop and space for restaurant, adding that the planned upgrade by the federal government will involve runway extension, apron expansion, construction of a new terminal building, fire station and a general upgrade of the airport facilities.
According to Mr Egwuatu, the cordial relationship between the airport management and the host community has led to the development and progress in the airport community, making the Airport one of the best maintained airports in Nigeria with massive turnaround since FAAN took over the operation of the Airport in 2021.
The airport manager won the last Nigeria aviation awards as the best airport manager in Nigeria for 2023.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
