Airport Remodeled, To Increase Revenue – Minister

Authorities of the nation’s Aviation Industry says remodeling of the airports is expected to increase revenue base with income from non-aeronautical sources attached to the expansion work.

Some of the already remodeled terminals have seen ultra modern shops and other business structures with improvement of facilities, more people are being attracted to doing business at the airports apart from travelling. Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah said recently that the airports are being remodeled in a bid to galvanise economic activities and enhance international and domestic travel.

She explained that the 22 airports under the remodeling programme would invariably boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) when completed.

“It is projected that by 2015, total domestic and International Passenger Movement in Nigeria would rise from the present 12 million to 16 million with better airport facilities and commercial offerings at these airport”, the Minister said. The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mr. George Uriesi remarked that the authory was on the path of being repositioned on the long run after the completion of the terminals.

Mr. Uriesi who stated this while commissioning the Enugu airport said as “we replicate all these, the income from every airport is going to go up in my estimation at least 500 per cent”.

He explained that it may become profitable as an airport simply because of the commercial offerings, adding that may pay off its bills and save FAAN from subsiding it.