The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, Niger State, has now been declared as the official alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
This was made public by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during an event marking the commencement of Overland Airways’ commercial flight services at the Minna airport.
Keyamo, who attended the launch event, noted that the airport has all the necessary features to handle large aircraft and serve as a major support hub when Abuja airport is unavailable. He expressed surprise that the facility had not been used to its full potential in the past.
“The runway is an international runway; a 747 and a triple seven can use this runway. Why, over the years, this has been underutilised is still a puzzle,” the minister said.
The minister further noted that the decision to designate Minna airport as an alternative was made after reviewing the facility’s capabilities and its strategic location close to Abuja. He pointed out that Minna is only a short drive from the Federal Capital Territory, making it a practical backup for flights that cannot land in Abuja due to weather or technical issues.
During his speech, Keyamo also spoke about the federal government’s broader plan to improve air travel and increase the use of regional airports across the country. He noted that the partnership with Overland Airways is a key part of that plan, aimed at making air travel more reliable and accessible for Nigerians.
