Chinua Achebe Airport, Umunri, Anambra State, formerly known as the Anambra International Cargo Airport, has recorded a total of 8,624 flights since it was inaugurated on December 7, 2021.
The airport was conceived, constructed, completed, and inaugurated by the former governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the airport, Mr. Martin Nwafor, disclosed this while speaking with journalists, noting that the recorded flights include both commercial and private operations, with passenger traffic exceeding 600,000 within the period under review.
According to Nwafor, the airport experiences increased activity during peak periods such as Christmas and other festive seasons.
He commended the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo for upgrading the facility, explaining that several improvements had been carried out since the current government assumed office.
He noted that the airport’s fire service unit, which was not completed initially, has now been fully equipped with three brand-new fire trucks.
“Night flights today are possible in Chinua Achebe Airport because Governor Soludo has replaced the lights that were previously vandalised.”
“He has also provided a water truck, and carried out several other renovations that helped upgrade the airport from Category Five to Category Seven, while efforts are ongoing to attain Category Nine status this year, alongside achieving full cargo operations.”
Reiterating the airport’s performance, he said, “So far, the airport has recorded 8,624 flights, both commercial and private, and over 600,000 passengers.”
Nwafor urged residents of the state to patronise the facility, stressing the economic benefits of using the airport.
“We are calling on Ndi Anambra, who we know as largely business-oriented, to make use of this airport provided and maintained for their benefit by the state government.
“I don’t see why the state would have a facility like this while the majority of our citizens patronize airports in other states, thereby boosting other states’ revenue and improving their infrastructure. Let us use what we have,” he said.
The airport MD also appealed to the state government to intervene in addressing infrastructural challenges within the terminal building.
He explained that the airport is currently operating a makeshift departure hall due to excessive heat in the main terminal, a situation he attributed to the absence of ceiling insulation, which prevents the standing air conditioners from effectively cooling the space.
