The federal government has officially designated the Bola Tinubu International Airport, Minna, as the alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, citing its strategic location and robust infrastructure.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo made the declaration on Thursday when he joined the governor of Niger State, Umar Bago for the official ceremony of Overland Airways’ inaugural flight at the airport in Minna.
Speaking, Keyamo said the event marked a significant milestone in the revitalisation of regional aviation and economic development in the North Central region of Nigeria.
The minister in a statement Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Tunde Moshood, said the runway is an international runway.
A cording to him, A 747 and a Triple Seven can use this runway. Why over the years this has been underutilised is still a puzzle. Our eyes are on this airport. By the powers conferred in me, I declare Minna airport as the alternative to Abuja Airport. NCAA, FAAN, take note.
In his welcome remarks, Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman, described Bago as the “new architect of Niger State,” lauding his developmental strides.
The Managing Director of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, commended Bago’s leadership and humility.
He announced that the aircraft deployed to the route is a brand-new Embraer 175, offering both premium and economy class options.
“Let it go down in history that this man has moved the Sea Port in Lagos to Minna. We are commencing with three flights a week, connecting Minna to Lagos and Abuja, and will also be offering seamless access to international destinations through interline arrangements later on,” Boyo noted.