Source: pointblanknews.com

Abuja , September 21, 2010 . The Federal Ministry of Aviation announces today the approval by the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, for the upgrade of Akanu Ibiam Airport Enugu to an International Status. This brings to (5) five the number of major and active international airports in the country.

The Akanu Ibiam Airport is very strategic to the Economies of the South Eastern States and the nation in general. It is the fourth (4 th) busiest airport in the country after Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Port Harcourt Airport. Akanu Ibiam airport accounts for an annual passenger traffic of about 30% of the total national passenger traffic.

In her remarks, the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Fidelia Akuabata Njeze underscored the significance of the airport to the South East Region which has witnessed remarkable economic growth in recent years. She highlighted the fact that “a large proportion of businesses in the region are of international dimension. With this upgrade, international travelers will be saved the added cost of going to Lagos or Port Harcourt to travel. Additionally, the safety of lives and property will be better guaranteed as less time will be spent on the roads”

The upgrade comes with extension of the runway, remodeling of the terminal building and other facilities at the airport.

The approval and upgrade is coming on the heels of the Federal Government’s determination to arrest the infrastructural breakdown at the country’s airports. Five key airports are in the process of being reconstructed and remodeled in the first phase. These include, the construction of four new terminals at Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu as well as the expansion and massive upgrade and remodeling of the Murtala Muhammed Terminal in Lagos.

The upgrade project at Akanu Ibiam Airport has commenced, the project execution is progressing according to plan and expected to be completed as scheduled.

It will be recalled that the airport was closed on February 15, this year for work to begin on the runway expansion