Nigerian Airports saw increased traffic during January through June of 2019 when air travelers (domestic and international) increased to 8.48 million over six months. The most recent Air Transport report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed.
According to the Bureau’s annual report, the total number of passengers (domestic and international) increased in value by 0.43 million from 8.05 million during the comparable period in the year 2018. The number of air travelers (domestic and international) throughout Nigerian airports increased by 5.4 percent.
Arrivals and departures from Air Travellers
- The report’s findings reveal that domestic airline passengers grew up to 6.36 million in June, up from 6 million during the same time frame in 2018.
- In addition, the number of international travelers that traveled through Nigerian Airports increased by 2.12 million, an increase from 2.04 million in June 2018.
- In terms of arrivals, Nigerian Airports recorded 4.23 million passengers. 4.25 million travelers left the country.
Domestic Air travelers
According to the report, as stated in the description, the Lagos State’s Murtala Muhammed Airport recorded domestic air travelers during the period in question.
- Murtala Muhammed Airport registered 2.003 million passengers in January and June of 2019. This is 31% of all air travelers.
- Another breakdown shows that the total number of arrivals at Lagos Airport stood at 1.02 million, and departures were 0.980 million during the timeframe.
- It is believed that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, is ranked in second place with 1.99 million passengers during the timeframe.
- The top states with the highest passenger traffic comprise Port-Harcourt (547,972); Kano (261,903); Owerri (210,948); Benin (153,560); Enugu (143,597); Kwa-Ibom (110,658) as well as Maiduguri (102,516).
- However, the Airport that had the lowest traffic is Forcados (9,868), Katsina (2,154), Minna (1,948), Zaria (691), Dutse (526), and Eket (17).
International Air travelers
An estimated 2.12 million international travelers traveled into or out using 10 airports across the country over the time that was under examination.
- Similar to domestic travelers, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, has the highest number of international travelers in terms of 1.48 million international passengers (arrival and departure) at the end of June 2019.
- International travelers that left Lagos were 773,500, and arrivals were 713,709.
- It is believed that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja is second in passenger numbers, with 455,139. Of the total of 219,019 passengers, 219,019 arrived registered, while 236,120 passengers left.
- Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport recorded 103,331 international travelers.
- Other cities include Port Harcourt (38,544), Enugu (26,092), Maiduguri (6,338), Yola (3,587), Sokoto (2,188), Gombe (499), and Kaduna (28)
Some of the biggest concerns
As the amount of Nigerians traveling by air increases, One of the constant challenges is flight delays.
The growing number of delayed flights is a huge cause of concern. Many travelers think that Nigeria’s aviation industry of Nigeria is one of the least reliable in the new market. However, delays on flights are common, and Nigerians seem to be used to this.
As previously reported from Nairametrics, 16 429 (55 55%) domestic airlines that operated during the beginning 6 (6) weeks of 2019 were delayed.
As per the data in January and June 2019, 30,040 flights were conducted across the country, 16429 (55 percent) had to be delayed. Additionally, in the same time frame, there were 241 of the flights had to be canceled.
Source: Nairametrics
