Akwa Ibom Airport is an airport serving Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria. The airport is located at Okopedi-Ekeya Road, Okodo. The airport is 24 kilometers (15 miles) Southwest of Uyo, and 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) northwest of the river port of Oron. The airport was opened in September 23, 2009, and started operation on December 2, 2009.
However, the first phase of construction of the airport began in 2006. The second construction phase began in 2012, and included the completion of a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. There was also the construction of an international terminal, and additional taxiways.
The first airline offering flights to Abuja and Lagos at the airport is Arik Air. In 2019, the state government which also owned this airport launched its first airline called ‘’Ibom Airline’’. Recently, the airport was named after the former governor of the state Obong Victor Attah.
FACILITY
The length of the runway is 3,600m (11,811 ft) and designation is 03/21. The runway is surface dressed with asphalt. The facility in the airport is specifically designed for the Boeing 747. It can accommodate two Boeing 747-400 parked, juxtaposed, nose-in, and fully contained within the building. The facility equipment, arrangement, clearance and supporting workshops allow flexibility for servicing a wide range of commercial aircraft.
The airport has a category 9 aircraft rescue and fire fighting facility. It also consists of a category II instrument landing system, an aircraft control tower, a technical and administrative building and emergency center. Other facility includes; aviation fuel farm, health clinic, police station, perimeter roads and fencing.
AIRLINES AND DESTINATIONS
The major airlines and their destinations are; Aero Contractors (Abuja, Lagos), Air Peace (Lagos), Arik Air (Abuja, Lagos), and Dana Air (Abuja, Lagos).
BEST FEATURE
The airport features an impressive #18bn terminal that is the first new generation terminal in the country, comparable to London Heathrow’s newest terminal.Akwa Ibom Airport is one of the several places of tourist attractions in the beautiful state of Akwa Ibom. Have a safe flight as you board the airlines here to your destinations.
