The Federal Government has formally designated the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as an international airport, paving the way for the facility to begin full international operations.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the approval on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno.
The designation marked a significant milestone in the state’s aviation development plans and sets in motion the technical processes required for international passenger handling.
Keyamo said the airport already possesses the essential facilities and infrastructure needed to operate at global standards, including a modern Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre and a runway exceeding three kilometres, capable of accommodating large aircraft.
“With the facilities available at the airport, there is no reason why Uyo Airport should not be designated an international airport,” the minister said.
“We are here today with all relevant government agencies, the Nigeria Customs Service, NiMet, FAAN, NCAA and others to form a joint team that will begin the transition from local to international operations.”
According to him, the team will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the airport to confirm what requirements have been fulfilled and identify what remains to be completed before international flight operations can officially commence.
In his response, Governor Umo Eno expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the approval, stressing that the state had invested significantly in preparing the airport for this phase.
He announced plans to further enhance the airport’s ecosystem through the construction of a cargo terminal and residential quarters for airport personnel.
“What we are building is a complete aviation ecosystem.
“The cargo terminal has already been included in the 2026 budget, and the 100 housing units under construction will ensure workers are properly accommodated, ” he said.
The governor projected that the first international flight from Uyo would depart before the end of the first quarter of 2026.
The Victor Attah International Airport, formerly known as the Akwa Ibom International Airport, was inaugurated in 2009 and later expanded to support large aircraft and regional operations.
It was renamed in 2018 in honour of former Governor Victor Attah.
