The federal government has officially designated the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport Minna as the alternative route to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Minister of Aviation and Airspace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated this during the inaugural flight ceremony of Overland Airways at BAT International Airport, Minna, Wednesday.
He stated that: “It is surprising to us that the type of runway we have here, the ambience and serenity of this airport fits the status of any type of international airport. The runway is of international standard, it can land a Boeing 747 and 777.”
He stated further that, “Today, by the powers conferred on me as the Minister of Aviation, I declare this Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, as the alternative to the Abuja International Airport. Therefore all flights that are unable to land in Abuja International Airport for any reason are to land in this Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, from today.”
He directed the immediate deployment of concerned agencies including the customs, immigration, police, NDLEA and others to the airport, adding that, “they will process passengers if Abuja airport encounters problem”.
In an address, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger state, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the state, especially in approving the upgrade of facilities at the Minna airport named after him.
He promised to build 500 housing units to accommodate aviation staff and others who would be deployed to work at the Minna airport.
He said: “The airport is sitting on 3,000 hectare of land. We have fixed the airport terminal runway. The plan to build 500 housing units for aviation staff to be known as an aviation estate is underway.”
Also speaking, the founder and managing director of Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo, said the airline has deployed a brand new plane equipped with the latest technology facilities in the aviation sector to the airport.
He assured that the flag off of the Overland Airways flight marks the beginning of economic opportunities in Minna while soliciting for stakeholder’s support for its sustainable operations in the state.