The Managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku said that only three of Nigeria’s 22 airports are profitable and contribute largely to the airport
Kuku who was a guest on the Channels TV morning show on Tuesday, said that 19 of the nation’s airports are being subsidized as they do not get passenger traffic commensurate to their operational cost.
She further said that the majority of the 22 airports managed by FAAN require maintenance and upgrade in critical infrastructure like the terminal areas, the landside as well as the airside
“Most of the runways at the airports in the country have exceeded the 20-year validity period and they are due for an upgrade,” says Kuku also noting that the airport authority would focus on some of these developmental goals this year.
According to her, economic activities in states where airports are built drive passenger traffic and not the construction of new airports.
She said rather than the construction of new airports by some state governors, they should focus on boosting manufacturing, trade, and tourism activities in their domains to increase passenger traffic and revenue.