Nigeria Declares Minna Airport As Alternative To Abuja

The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has designated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, as an alternative to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Minister of Aviation,Festus Keyamo, made this known at the official ceremony marking the start of commercial flight operations at Tinubu International Airport in Minna, Niger State.

At the inaugural flight ceremony, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated that, given its facilities and proximity to the Federal Capital Territory, Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport now serves as a viable alternative to Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

He explained that this designation means that flights will be automatically diverted to Minna if there are any landing or weather-related issues in Abuja.

Keyamo directed agencies under the ministry to implement the necessary mechanisms to achieve this goal.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, praised the state government’s remodeling of the Federal Airport as the best example of such work by any subnational entity in the country’s aviation sector.

In his remarks, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State acknowledged former Military President Ibrahim Babangida for initiating the airport project and assured that the state would collaborate closely with all regulatory agencies to ensure smooth flight operations.

Due to poor maintenance, which led to runway damage and other issues, flight operations at the airport were suspended.

This forced many passengers and pilgrims to use the Abuja Airport instead.

After Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago successfully took over and renovated the facility, it was re-inaugurated in March last year by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu