The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commissioned a new domestic terminal at Port Harcourt International Airport, more than doubling the airport's passenger handling capacity and addressing years of congestion complaints from travellers and airlines operating out of the Rivers State hub.
FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku said the new terminal, built with an annual capacity of 5 million passengers, replaces a domestic facility that had been operating well beyond its original design capacity. "This terminal reflects our commitment to giving every part of the country airport infrastructure that matches the volume of travel we are seeing today," Kuku said at the commissioning ceremony.
Addressing Years of Congestion
Port Harcourt International Airport has for years ranked among the more congested domestic terminals in Nigeria's network, with airlines and passenger groups repeatedly citing overcrowding, limited seating and slow baggage handling during peak periods. The new terminal features expanded check-in counters, additional boarding gates and an enlarged baggage claim hall.
Airline operators at the airport, including Air Peace and Ibom Air, welcomed the commissioning, with one airline representative saying the previous terminal's constraints had at times affected on-time departures during peak morning and evening banks of flights.
Part of a Wider Infrastructure Push
The commissioning follows similar recent upgrades at other Nigerian airports as FAAN continues a broader infrastructure renewal programme across the network. FAAN said further terminal upgrades are planned at additional airports, though it did not provide a specific timeline for subsequent projects.