Posted by Sade Williams
Akure airport manager, Mrs. Cecilia Oguama, has said that passengers’ traffic has improved tremendously with the commencement of flight by Air Peace into the airport.
The airline commenced flights into the airport some months ago following a partnership between it and the Ondo State government.
Oguama, who was excited that passengers’ traffic has increased, said “it has increased tremendously, there was a time we were having ten, twenty but right now we are having passengers in thousands, and four thousand, five thousand per month”
On the new terminal building which was opened to traffic two months ago, she said with the sitting capacity of 100, airport users find the terminal more comfortable.
She added there is also an increased interest in the transportation of perishable goods , expressing 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 place is known for agriculture and most of their produce are taken by road. So they come to the airport for enquiries on the transportation of their goods”, Oguama said.
With category 06 fire tender at the airport, Oguama 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”, she added.
While commending the Management team of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the quick response to issues at the airport, she said grass cutting has remained the greatest challenge at the airport.
Unlike other airports, Oguama revealed that the airport enjoys public power supply but noted that the voltage was always fluctuating.
The Akure airport boss expressed joy that the cashless transactions was working perfectly at the airport, saying that 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.
