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Chinua Achebe Airport, Umunri, Anambra State, which was formally known as Anambra International Cargo Airport, has recorded 8,624 flights since its inauguration on December 7, 2021.
The airport was conceived, started, completed and inaugurated for use by former governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the airport, Mr. Martin Nwafor, told journalists that since it began operations, the airport has recorded 8,624 flights, both commercial and private, and over 600,000 passengers.
Nwafor disclosed that the facility records more activities during peak seasons such as Christmas and other festivities.
He also applauded the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who he said has upgraded the airport from what it used to be, as he noted that the fire service unit, which was not completed initially, has now been completed 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.
“So far, the airport has recorded 8,624 flights, both commercial and private, and over 600,000 passengers.
“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 governor to help provide a ceiling inside the airport terminal to enable passengers make use of the departure hall.
He explained that the airport is currently using a makeshift departure hall due to excessive heat in the main hall caused by a lack of roof insulation, which makes it difficult for the standing air conditioners in the hall to cool the space.
Chinua Achebe Airport records 8,624 flights since inauguration in 2021
