Delayed Takeoff: The Impact of Incomplete Facilities on Akwa Ibom’s Aviation Growth

Delayed Takeoff: The Impact of Incomplete Facilities on Akwa Ibom’s Aviation Growth

Governor Imo Eno

Incomplete airport facilities are delaying international flights in Akwa Ibom, affecting tourism, business growth, and global connectivity. Here’s what you need to know.

The non completion of facilities at the Victor Attah International Airport (VAIA) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has stalled the proposed commencement of international flight operations earlier scheduled for April 1, 2026, BusinessDay’s investigation has shown.

The Airport had secured approval from the Federal Government for international flights after Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, inspected its facilities and gave the greenlight for international flight operations last year.

According to Governor Umo Eno, international flights were initially scheduled to begin on April 1, 2026 with the prospects of the Airport becoming a major aviation hub in West and Central Africa with the state-owned Ibom Air as the major carrier.

According to checks, the facilities that have yet to be completed, include the modern terminal building, parking lot, apron taxiway, security/operational perimeter fence. Smart internet installation, power transmission and transformer area, as well as medium voltage power panels.

It was reliably gathered that the contractor handling facilities at the Airport, VKS Nigeria Limited , had assured that the terminal would be ready for use by the end of March.

To demonstrate the priority attention paid to the project, the State Government had last year raised a Committee headed, by Enobong Uwah, which also included the Commissioner of finance, Emem Bob, who supervises the Ministry of Special Duties in charge of the Airport project “to oversee the full implementation of the international status of the VAIA,” after technical assessment by Fesus Keyamo.

However, with the release of N123 billion by the State Government for payment to contractors, it was expected that the completion of facilities at the Airport would be fast-tracked.

According to Emem Bob, Commissioner for Finance and Supervising Commissioner Ministry of Special Duties, which is in charge of the Airport, the projects would be completed this month.

Bob, who was responding to enquiries from BusinessDay, said that all hands were on deck to see to the completion of the facilities at the Airport for it to commence international flight operations.

“We said April, no date was fixed but hopefully this month,’’ the Commissioner said.

The upgrade of the Airport with modern facilities is expected to boost tourism, ensure international connectivity and reposition Akwa Ibom State as an aviation hub in South-South, South-East and the Gulf of Guinea.