If the Passenger increase at the Akure airport is anything to go back, very soon the revenue generation will increase.
Also to benefit from this increase are small private businesses operating at the airport.
The Passenger increase according to Akure Airport Manager, Mrs Cecilia Oguama, is due to the partnership arrangements entered into between the Ondo State Government and AirPeace.
She said passengers traffic has tremendously improved with the commencement of flight by Air Peace, adding that before now, the airport recorded low traffic of about 20 passengers but was excited that passengers’ traffic has increased.
She said “it has increased tremendously, there was a time we were having ten, twenty but right now we are having passengers in thousands, and four thousand, five thousand per month”.
She said interest in the transportation of perishable goods has increased in the area and expressed the hope that the abandoned cargo airport will be included in next year’s budget to get the contractors back to site.
“We have suppliers coming to make enquiries about the cargo airport, this is a known for agriculture and most of their produce are taken by road. So they come to the airport for enquiries on the transportation of their goods”, Oguama said.
On the new terminal building which was put into use about two months ago, Mrs Oguama explained that, with the sitting capacity of 100, airports users find the terminal more comfortable now.
With category 06 fire tender at the airport, Mrs Oguama said the airport has been able to attend to fire incidents in the state which has attracted commendations from the Ondo State government.
“About four times, we have been able to assist them at night outside the airport when it doesn’t impede on our operations”, the airport manager emphasised.
While commending the Management team of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the quick response to issues at the airport, she said grass cutting has remained the greatest challenge at the airport.
Unlike other airports, Oguama revealed that the airport enjoys public power supply but noted that the voltage was always fluctuating.
