A’Ibom Airport commences international flight operations, with the Federal Government describing it as a unique aviation hub.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, praised the Victor Attah International Airport in Akwa Ibom State, calling it a distinctive transit hub in Nigeria.
The airport on Saturday began international operations with its inaugural flight to Accra, Ghana.
Dignitaries on board included Governor Umo Eno, the aviation minister, and other government officials.
Speaking at a brief ceremony before takeoff, Keyamo said the airport is not just an ordinary facility but a world-class transit hub that allows seamless transfer between international and domestic routes.
“This airport is not just one of those airports, not just a terminal building, but a world-class transit hub with immense impact.
“With this facility, passengers are afforded the opportunity of transferring their flights from international to international; domestic to international; and international to domestic.
“This kind of service does not exist in any sub-national anywhere in the country, but only here in this airport. This is not just the best, it is the only existing one, a pacesetter in the country,” Keyamo said.
He added that the airport could significantly boost economic activities in the state and beyond, likening its development to a “Dubai-like” transformation in Nigeria.
Governor Umo Eno attributed the achievement to the efforts of past and present leaders of the state, while commending President Bola Tinubu for supporting the project financially.
Officials from Ibom Airport Development Company, Ibom Air, and the construction firm involved also praised the governor for completing the upgrade and achieving international status for the airport.