As a strategic move, the Federal Government has named the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, Niger State, the official alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN) announced this during the launch of Overland Airways’ commercial flight operations from the Minna airport on Wednesday.
Commending the airport’s impressive infrastructure and strategic location, Keyamo emphasized its vast potential to become a key aviation hub.
He said: “The runway is an international runway; a 747 and a triple seven can use this runway. Why, over the years, this has been underutilized is still a puzzle.”
The minister said that the airport’s physical and operational standards are at par with international best practices, and lamented that it had previously been underutilized.
He said: “Our eyes are on this airport. By the powers conferred on me, I declare Minna Airport as the alternative to Abuja Airport. NCAA, FAAN, take note.”
The declaration is expected to boost aviation traffic in Minna, providing a strategic relief point for flight operations in northern Nigeria, particularly during emergencies or when Abuja airport experiences congestion.
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