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The partnership between the administration of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Ondo State Governor and management of West African leading airline, Air Peace has started yielding positive results leading to a surge in passenger’s traffic and demand for cargo services at Akure airport.
This development was made known to aviation journalists by the airport manager, Mrs. Cecilia Oguama.
Oguama who could not hide her excitement on the growth the airport has recorded in the last two months, said the tremendously improvement could be linked to the commencement of daily flight to the airport by Air Peace.
“Passengers’ traffic has tremendously improved with the commencement of flight by Air Peace following a partnership arrangement between the airline and Ondo State government,” she said.
Excited Oguama who recalled that before the commencement of the airline’s operations to the airport low traffic of about 20 passengers per month was recorded, said the airport now handles about 4000 passengers every month.
“Traffic has increased tremendously. There was a time we were having ten, twenty passengers; but right now we are having passengers in thousands, and four thousand, five thousand per month,” the airport manager said.
On the new terminal building which was put into use about two months ago, Oguama explained that the new 100 passenger sitting capacity facility has brought more comfort to the passengers and added attractions to the airport.
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 area is known for agriculture and most of their produce are taken by road. So they come to the airport for enquiries on the air transportation of their goods,” Oguama said.
With category 06 fire tender at the airport, the airport manager 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 nevertheless grass cutting has remained the greatest challenge at the airport.
Unlike other airports, Oguama revealed that the airport enjoys regular public power supply which she however noted has the problem of voltage fluctuation.
The Akure airport boss expressed joy that the cashless transactions was working perfectly at the airport, saying that Point of Sales (POS) was available and commended the government for the introduction of cashless payment system which has further boosted “Ease of Doing Business” at the airports across the country.
