Why Anambra does not need a second airport, By Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu

Anambra State in Nigeria is pushing forward with the construction of a second international airport, a project presented as a key component of a larger aerotropolis and industrial city master plan. Officials within the state government champion the facility, arguing it will generate millions of jobs, significantly increase internally generated revenue, attract substantial foreign and domestic investment in sectors like manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, boost tourism, and elevate surrounding property values.

Advocates also contend that the new airport will foster balanced regional development by easing travel burdens for residents and businesses in the southern parts of the state, who currently rely on airports in neighboring Enugu or Owerri. The vision promises seamless connectivity, accelerating time-sensitive cargo movement and positioning Anambra as a competitive hub in national and regional supply chains.

However, a closer examination of the operational performance of the existing Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri, commissioned in December 2021, casts doubt on these projections. In its approximately five years of operation, the airport has handled a total of roughly 600,000 passengers and 8,600 aircraft movements. These figures translate to an average of fewer than five flights per day and about 330 passengers daily over its lifespan.

Even accounting for the typical gradual build-up of new facilities, this sustained level of activity falls far short of what would normally justify the substantial capital and operational investments required for a full international gateway. Within the broader Nigerian domestic aviation market, where total passenger movements reached approximately 13 million in the most recent full year, Anambra's contribution remains marginal. Neighboring airports like Asaba have captured greater regional traffic, while established hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt continue to dominate passenger volumes.