The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) commissioned an expanded international wing at Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) on 14 March 2018, adding new check-in counters, boarding gates and a larger passenger processing hall to a terminal that had ranked among the country's most criticised for congestion and poor facilities.
Addressing a Reputation Problem
FAAN managing director Engr. Saleh Dunoma said the expansion was designed to bring the airport's international side in line with passenger growth on routes to destinations including Dubai, Doha and several West African cities, and to reduce the queues and processing delays that had drawn repeated complaints from business travellers and oil and gas sector workers who make up a large share of the airport's traffic.
Broader Rehabilitation Still Pending
Aviation stakeholders in Rivers State welcomed the upgrade but noted that other elements of the airport, including its runway lighting and cargo facilities, still required attention. FAAN said further rehabilitation work at PHIA was planned in phases as funding became available, without giving a firm timeline for completion.