Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
Public
IataABV
IcaoDNAA
Owner-operFederal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
City-servedAbuja
Hub
Elevation-f1123
Coordinates9°00′24″N 7°15′47″E
Websitefaan.gov.ng/naia-abuja
Metric-rwyyes
R1-number04/22
R1-length-m3610
R1-surfaceAsphalt
Stat-year2024
Stat1-headerPassengers
Stat1-data5,480,000
Stat2-headerAircraft movements
Stat2-data77,909
Stat3-headerCargo (Metric tonnes)
Stat3-data9,130

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is an international airport serving Abuja, in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. It is the main airport serving the Nigerian capital city and was named after Nigeria's first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904–1996). The airport is approximately 20 km (12 mi) southwest of the city centre, and has an international and a domestic terminal that share its single runway.[1]

History

A new airport terminal was built in 2000 by Julius Berger, located near the existing terminal that served both domestic and international flights. The new terminal opened in 2002 and serves international flights. The existing terminal now serves domestic flights.[2]

In November 2006, the Abuja Gateway Consortium signed a US$101.1 million contract for the management of the airport over the next 25 years. The contract included the construction of an airport hotel, private car parks, shopping malls, and a bonded warehouse, totalling US$50 million during its first five years, and additionally an upfront payment of US$10 million. According to the business plan, total investments would have amounted to US$371 million during the period of the contract. However, then-President Yar'Adua revoked the contract in April 2008.[3]

In June 2009, Delta Air Lines began a route to New York City via Dakar.[4] The following June, the carrier introduced seasonal nonstop service to New York.[5][6] It was reported in 2012 that Delta had suspended flights to Abuja due to the high cost of fuel and diminished passenger counts.[7]

Plans were invited for the construction of a second runway.[8] The contract was awarded to Julius Berger Construction Company for US$423 million, but was revoked due to the high cost. The Federal Government approved fresh bids for the construction of the second runway.[citation needed]

On 4 January 2017, Nigeria's Federal Executive Council backed the Ministry of Aviation's decision to close the airport for six weeks to enable repairs on the runway, which was said to be dysfunctional. The Nigerian government also approved N1 billion for the conclusion of the Kaduna Airport terminal, which had been debated as an alternative for Abuja Airport.[9] Several airport users,[10] including the Nigerian Senate,[11] opposed the planned closure. It was believed that the closure of the airport would cause hardship for international and local air travellers alike.[citation needed]

On 8 March 2017, the Federal Airport Authority in Nigeria stated that the airport will shut to commercial traffic for at least six weeks to bring needed repairs to the runway.[12] On 18 April 2017, the airport was reopened following the completion of the project.[13]

On 20 December 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned a new terminal building.[14] The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria says the newly completed terminal building can process up to 15 million passengers annually.[15]

Other facilities

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has its head office on the airport grounds.[16]

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has its head office on the airport.[17] Previously the agency had its Abuja office on the airport grounds,[18] though before that it had the authority's head office.[19]

The airport operates a private jet wing that serves businesses, diplomats and politicians in the city. In 2016, the Ministry of Transportation announced plans for a new terminal for private jet operations. The General Aviation Terminal project will cost N258 million naira and will include a new protocol lounge and rehabilitation of the fire station at the airport. It will serve non-scheduled flights.[20]

2017 runway reconstruction

In 2017, the Nigerian Government awarded a contract to Julius Berger for the emergency rehabilitation of the airport's only runway. It had been built to last for 20 years but had been in use for nearly 40 years at that time. The airport's runway was starting to show signs of fatigue and disrepair.[21] The Airport was closed for 6 weeks, and flights were diverted to neighboring Kaduna airport.[22] The Airport reopened with the completion of the Runway on 17 April 2017, 2 days ahead of schedule.[23]

Statistics

These data show number of passengers movements into the airport, according to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria's (FAAN) Aviation Sector Summary Reports.

Year20112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Passengers4,216,1473,679,2243,945,8974,169,6764,341,6374,230,0903,560,6224,879,0665,554,3023,880,2835,323,905
Growth (%)7.48%12.73%7.25%5.67%4.12%2.59%15.83%37.03%13.83%30.24%37.23%
Source: Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Aviation Sector Reports (2010-2013,[24] 2014,[25] Q3-Q4 of 2015,[26] and Q1-Q2 of 2016[27])[28]

[29]

Accidents and incidents

See also

References

  1. ^ Eze, Chinedu (17 June 2022). "Construction of Second Runway at Abuja Airport". This Day. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport | Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria". Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  3. ^ "As Controversies Rock FG's Concession Plan". This Day. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Delta launches flights between New York and Abuja". Reuters. 11 June 2009. Archived 28 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  5. ^ "New routes launched during the last week (Tuesday 1 June – Monday 7 June)". Anna.aero. 8 June 2010. Archived 25 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  6. ^ Ehigiator, Kenneth (28 May 2010). "Delta Airlines Commences Direct Flight to New York". Vanguard. Archived 28 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ^ Osa Okunbor, Kelvin (18 September 2012). "Why we suspended flights". The Nation. p. 11. Archived 26 October 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Senate queries approval of N63 5bn for Abuja Airport's 2nd runway contract". oak.tv. Oak TV. Oak TV. Archived 13 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  9. ^ "Why Nigerian govt approved N1billion for Kaduna Airport Terminal". oak.tv. Oak TV. Oak TV. Archived 9 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  10. ^ "Abuja Airport Closure: 'Fire brigade approach to upgrade Kaduna airport will not work'- Dino Melaye". oak.tv. Oak TV. Oak TV. Archived 13 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  11. ^ "Abuja Airport Closure: Senate disagrees with Shehu Sani on Kaduna airport". oak.tv. Archived 13 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  12. ^ "Nigeria to close airport in Abuja, the capital, for repairs | KSL.com". Archived 9 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  13. ^ Idris Ibrahim (18 April 2017). "Abuja airport reopens as Ethiopian airline lands new plane". Premium Times. Archived 24 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  14. ^ "Buhari inaugurates new Abuja airport terminal". Premium Times. Archived 14 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  15. ^ "Abuja Airport's new terminal to process 15m passengers annually—FAAN". Vanguard. Archived 14 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Home". Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau. Retrieved 28 September 2024. Head Office: Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria.
  17. ^ "Contact". Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 28 September 2024. Corporate Headquarters Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
  18. ^ "Contact". Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 21 June 2020. Abuja Regional Office Nanmdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja
  19. ^ Contact Us Archived 14 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved on 9 September 2010.
  20. ^ Oshin, Tope. "Transport Ministry To Spend N258 Million for Abuja Airport Private Jet Terminal". Signalng. Signalng. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Nigeria imposes a no-fly zone on its own capital". The Economist. The Economist. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Nigeria reopens Abuja airport after runway repairs". BBC. BBC News. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  23. ^ "Renewal of the runway and main taxiways of a capital city airport in record time". Julius Berger. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  24. ^ "Passenger Only Aviation Data Report 2010-13 to Q1 2014". Archived 28 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  25. ^ "Aviation Sector Summary Report Q4 2014 - Q1 2015". Archived 28 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  26. ^ "NIGERIA AVIATION SECTOR Q3-Q4 2015 REPORT". Archived 28 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  27. ^ "Nigerian Aviation Sector Summary Report: Q1-Q2 2016". Archived 28 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  28. ^ "Airports Statistics". Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  29. ^ "Reports | National Bureau of Statistics"
  30. ^ "Accident Boeing 737-2B7 5N-BFK, Sunday 29 October 2006"
  31. ^ Northam, Jackie (21 February 2021). "7 Dead In Nigerian Air Force Crash After Reported Engine Failure". NPR. Retrieved 5 May 2021.