More flights head to PH Int’l Airport after global status upgrade certification

…FAAN presents certificate to Fubara

More international flights are said to be headed to the Port Harcourt International Airport following an upgade certification known as ‘Global Certification’ has arrived Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

The certificate was brought straight to the Government House in the State capital by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) representative, who handed it to Governor Sim Fubara, who is said to have quietly spearheaded the upgrade project.

Businesses and travelers have for years yearned for increase in flights, calling the Airport to facilitate exports and other international travels.

For now, most travelers get to Lagos or Accra Ghana to connect to their real destinations.

So far, international flights currently calling at the PH International Airport are said to feature Cronos Airlines, Air Peace, Qatar Airways, and Air France.

A source said: “Available international destinations and routes include: Malabo (Equatorial Guinea): Direct flights are operated twice a week by Cronos Airlines and occasionally other carriers like ValueJet; Libreville (Gabon): Regional flights are available, frequently operated or brokered via airlines such as Afrijet Business Service; Accra (Ghana): Direct connections to Accra are available via Air Peace; and Paris & Frankfurt through major carriers like Air France, typically utilizing an Abuja layover connection.”

Now, after about 40 years of operation, the Port Harcourt International Airport has received full certification and license having successfully complied with global safety standards required by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The certification is said to have followed the recent upgrade, modernisation and expansion of infrastructure as well as the provision of critical safety equipment at the airport.

Lynda Ezike, Regional General Manager, South-South Airports and Manager, Port Harcourt International Airport, stated this at the weekend when she led a delegation of the FAAN on a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt.

The visit was to present the certificate to Governor Sim Fubara under whose watch the massive upgrade of the airport was said to have taken place.

In an interview with journalists, Ezike acknowledged the immense contributions of the Rivers State Government towards the upgrade of the airport, stressing that the airport was able to meet the safety requirements stipulated by both local and international industry regulators.

“We came here on a historic note to present the certificate to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, because he made it possible.

“This certification is no mean achievement. The Port Harcourt International Airport which is the gateway to Rivers State and the entire South-South region is now certified.

“This implies that the stage is now set for more international operations. More international flights can now come to the airport feeling safe now that the airport has met the safety standards required globally.

“The issuance of the certificate is a direct reflection of the unwavering support of Gov Fubara in infrastructure upgrade and provision of critical equipment to meet the national and global safety regulations and standards,” she said.

According to Ezike, the certification announces the Nigerian state as a key player in the global aviation safety programme.

Efforts to upgrade Port Harcourt to global best standards began during the time of Peter Odili who even handed N2 billion to the Ministry of Aviation to do total upgrade, but this ended in excuses, leading to demands by the Rivers State Government for refund.

Former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi took it from there and when he became Minister of Transportation, he awarded jobs to transform the airport in his state capital. Much was achieved but the political climate in both the state and at the centre seemed to affect pace of job.

Governor Nyesom Wike undertook some projects, especially access road and repair of places such as the VIP Lounge.

Now, Governor Fubara is said to be the governor credited with the full upgrade and acquisition of global certification to achieve the ultimate objective of helping Port Harcourt to attract more international flights.

He seemed to have worked quietly to achieve this. Even at the presentation of the certificate, he was not quoted to have said a word.