RUNWAYS WITHOUT RETURNS

A debate is brewing in South East Nigeria regarding the construction of new airports, with many commentators and government officials conflating airport development with a viable economic strategy. Patrick O. Okigbo argues that this approach risks turning valuable assets into liabilities by prioritizing politically motivated projects over the essential work of building integrated aviation and logistics systems that genuinely support production.

While Nigeria's aviation statistics indicate a recovery in passenger traffic, with domestic travel rising by 4.3% and total traffic by 5.9% between 2024 and 2025, these numbers paint a picture of market shallowness rather than transformation. The market remains concentrated, with Abuja and Lagos handling the vast majority of passengers. For instance, in 2024, Abuja accounted for 35% of domestic passengers and Lagos for 33%. Enugu and Owerri, key cities in the South East, handled only 3.9% and 3.3% respectively. These figures do not justify the construction of new airports based on passenger convenience alone.

The case of Anambra's Chinua Achebe Airport illustrates this point. Despite its proximity to existing airports in Asaba, Enugu, and Owerri, construction began in 2019. Since commencing operations in December 2021, it has handled approximately 400,000 passengers and 7,000 flights by November 2024. While respectable, this performance does not warrant Governor Charles Soludo's proposal for a second airport. Okigbo contends that efforts should focus on enhancing the Achebe airport's utility rather than duplicating it.

Cargo presents a more compelling argument for aviation infrastructure. In 2023, aviation contributed $2.5 billion to Nigeria's GDP and supported around 217,000 jobs, with airports handling nearly 195,700 tonnes of air cargo. Air cargo is vital for high-value, time-sensitive goods crucial for a commercially dense yet logistically challenged region like South East Nigeria. Abia state, with Aba as a major manufacturing hub, could benefit significantly from a well-designed airport integrated into a broader industrial strategy.

However, the success of any new airport hinges on its integration within a supportive ecosystem that includes direct links to manufacturing clusters. Simply building terminals without this strategic industrial logic and a robust logistics framework is a flawed approach that fails to address the region's core economic and logistical constraints.