Akanu Ibiam Airport Secures First International Aerodrome Certification

 

Nigeria’s aviation regulator, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has granted an Aerodrome Certificate to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, marking the facility’s first internationally recognised certification.

The certificate was presented at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja after the airport met the required national and global safety and operational benchmarks, in line with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo, represented by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Ahmad Abba, described the certification as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s aviation sector. He said the process followed a rigorous five-stage assessment covering infrastructure, airside and landside operations, safety systems, emergency readiness, and personnel training.

“This demonstrates that Nigeria is making measurable progress in meeting international aviation safety standards,” he said, while commending the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for its cooperation throughout the process.

Representing FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, the Director of Commercial and Business Development, Adebola Agunbiade, said the certification reflects a broader commitment to regulatory compliance and service improvement across Nigeria’s airports.

She added that the development marks “a new phase of continuous improvement,” with plans to sustain global standards while enhancing passenger experience.

Officials in Enugu State welcomed the development, describing it as a boost to efforts to position the airport as a regional aviation hub. The Commissioner for Transport, Obi Ozor, said the certification would strengthen the airport’s credibility among international airlines and could help attract new routes.

An aerodrome certificate, issued under ICAO’s Annex 14 framework, confirms that an airport meets prescribed standards in safety, infrastructure and operations. Without it, facilities are not recognised as compliant with international aviation requirements.

The certification follows recent upgrades at the airport, including enhanced surveillance systems, perimeter security, improved signage and firefighting capabilities. Authorities say these improvements position the airport to handle increased traffic, including wide-body aircraft operations.

The development is expected to support plans for expanded international services and increased commercial activity at the Enugu-based airport.