Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The federal government has initiated the process to upgrade Victor Attah Airport in Uyo to international status, which will enable it to receive and process international passengers.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated this when he hosted the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, in Abuja on Thursday.
Keyamo stated that the airport has all the standard facilities necessary to compete with other international airports across the country.
The Minister also said the airport has all the modern facilities with a standard Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), and a runway of over three kilometres, which can accommodate bigger aircraft.
He said, “With the facilities available at the airport, there is no reason why Uyo airport should not be designated as an international airport to process international passengers. That is why we are here today with all relevant government agencies, including the Customs, NiMet, FAAN, NCAA, and others, to set up a joint team that would commence the process of transitioning from local operations to international operations.
“We are designating Uyo airport as an international airport, and what is left is to tick the boxes and set a date for operations to begin. We will come to Uyo with the team and representatives of all relevant agencies that work at the airport to assess the facilities and tick the boxes for what is available and what would be needed for the airport to fully become an international airport.”
The governor, while commending the federal government and the minister for the approval, noted that the airport is equipped for international operations.
He also said that the state government will construct a cargo terminal and residential buildings for the staff of the airport.
Eno said, “What we are building is an ecosystem at the airport. We want everything within the airport environment. We will build a cargo terminal, which is already captured in the 2026 budget. We will also ensure that the 100 units of houses under construction are used to ensure the proper settling down of workers at the airport. My target is to see the first international plane take off from Uyo by the end of the first quarter of 2026.”
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