Governor Willie Obiano on Saturday inaugurated the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.
That inauguration, according to him, marked the commencement of commercial flight operations in the airport.
The governor, who said that the airport has been rated one of the bests in Africa, revealed that the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has issued him relevant certificates approving flight operations in the airport.
‘The Federal Government has also approved some airlines for this airport and they include Air Peace, United Nigeria Airline, Dawa Air, Anap Jets, Ibom Air.
‘For them to operate here, they have to set up their counter/desks here in the terminal building and other facilities to ensure that their customers are comfortable,’ Obiano said.
The governor, who revealed that more airlines would be approved to operate in the international airport, said that commercial flights did not land on the facility on the day of the inauguration because the airlines were yet to set up their desks in the airport.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works in the state, Mr Marcel Ifejiofor, explained that everything needed for the smooth running of the airport had been put in place.
He said that since the test running of the airport a few months ago, a total of seven aircraft have landed on the international airport.
‘Since after the test landing of this airport, seven planes have landed on it. The governor, two ministers: Minister of Finance, and Trade and Industry have landed on this airport,’ Ifejiofor said.
He explained that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet) and other relevant federal government agencies have certified the airport ready for commercial flights, both local and international.
Ifejiofor, who explained that the contractors were mobilized to site in February 2020, revealed that the state government engaged the services of nine contractors and service providers throughout the construction period.
The commissioner commended Obiano for keeping his promise of completing the airport project in record time, saying that when it becomes fully operational, would add value to the state’s economy.
He added that the every needed facility in the airport has been installed and that they’re all working efficiently; even as he revealed that the carpark in the airport could take 750 cars at once
