Anambra International Cargo Airport, Umueri, on Friday received demonstration flights to the excitement of Anambra indigenes and the aviation community.
The new airport, which was constructed in record time, is expecting both cargo and passenger traffic in the next couple of months.
At about 2:40 p.m. on Friday, an Air Peace Boeing 737 aircraft made the inaugural landing, throwing the waiting audience into a frenzy. About 15 minutes later, another Air Peace Embraer 145 aircraft touched down, to a traditional water salute reception. As the audience were departing, a private jet also landed at the airport.
The facility, awaiting commercial services, already has the runway, apron, control tower, fire infrastructure, among other critical infrastructure in place, except for the terminal that is near completion.
Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, said the multi-billion naira project was strategic for the economy of Anambra, the region, and of Nigeria at large. He described it as the most audacious and “revolutionary” project ever embarked on by his administration and nearly completed in a 15-month record time.
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“We have rose above the global gloom and doom (of coronavirus pandemic)to bring this dream to reality. Anambra did not borrow a kobo to build this airport. We began this administration with the plan to become the first choice in investment destination and trade hub.
“This airport fulfils that dream, because it is difficult to create an international economic corridor without an airport. Very soon, our cargo and passenger services, both local and international, will make us one of the busiest airports in the country,” Obiano said.
Allen Onyema, chairman of Air Peace airline, said the landmark facility has the longest runway in the country, spanning 3.7km, with the capacity to receive the biggest air planes in the world
Onyema thanked the Federal Government for the airport’s approvals, describing it as one of the fastest airports to get a test-flight approval.
“What we have here is the widest runway ever and could land a Boeing 777 and an Airbus 380. This is the first time an airport would be doing a test-run with a Boeing 737. It used to be very small planes before. I decided to bring in two planes to show the quality of the airport here. I can tell you that it is a game-changer,” Onyema said.
Marcel Ifejiofor, commissioner for Works and Head of the project delivery team, said all the outstanding facilities had been paid for, including the Instrument Landing System (ILS).
