Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport | Abuja

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (IATA: ABV, ICAO: DNAA) is the primary airport serving Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. It's named after Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President and a prominent nationalist leader. Here's a detailed breakdown:

General Overview

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Coordinates: 9°0′23″N 7°15′37″E

Type: Public / Civilian

Operator: Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)

Serves: Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Named After: Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904–1996), Nigeria’s first President

Airport Terminals

International Terminal:

Originally opened in 2002.

Modernized and expanded with a new terminal building opened in December 2018.

Handles international flights to destinations in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Domestic Terminal:

Separate from the international terminal.

Handles all domestic air traffic within Nigeria.

VIP and Executive Terminals:

Used by government officials, diplomats, and private jet users.

Managed separately with exclusive services.

Runways and Facilities

Runway:

Runway Designation: 04/22

Length: 3,600 meters (11,811 feet)

Surface: Asphalt

Night landing facilities and modern navigation aids available.

Closed briefly in 2017 for major repairs and resurfacing.

Navigational Aids:

Equipped with Instrument Landing System (ILS)

VOR/DME (VHF Omnidirectional Range with Distance Measuring Equipment)

Advanced radar systems for air traffic control.

Airport Facilities:

Duty-free shops, lounges, restaurants, car rentals

VIP lounges and business centers

Cargo terminal

Customs and immigration services

Airlines and Destinations

Domestic Carriers (examples):

Air Peace

Arik Air

Max Air

Dana Air

Azman Air

International Carriers (examples):

Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa)

Turkish Airlines (Istanbul)

British Airways (London Heathrow)

Qatar Airways (Doha)

Lufthansa (Frankfurt)

EgyptAir (Cairo)

Passenger and Cargo Traffic

Annual Passenger Volume: Over 5 million passengers (pre-COVID levels)

Cargo Facilities: Supports import/export of goods, perishable storage, customs clearance

Recent Developments and Projects

New Terminal: Opened in 2018 with a capacity to handle 15 million passengers per year.

Runway Rehabilitation (2017): The only runway was completely shut down and rebuilt in 6 weeks, with flights temporarily diverted to Kaduna Airport.

Planned Rail Link: Part of Nigeria’s efforts to improve intermodal transport – a rail line connects the city center to the airport.

Security and Safety

Secured by Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in collaboration with national security agencies.

Full screening systems for passengers and baggage.

Surveillance systems, emergency services, and medical facilities on site.

Accessibility and Transportation

Distance to City Center: About 40 km (25 miles)

Transport Options:

Taxis and airport shuttles

Ride-hailing services like Bolt and Uber

Limited public buses

Future integration with Abuja light rail system

Challenges

Overcrowding during peak seasons

Power supply issues (though backup generators are in place)

Concerns over transparency and privatization discussions

Importance

Strategically important for national governance, diplomacy, and business travel

One of Nigeria’s busiest and most modern airports

Regional air transport hub in West Africa