The federal government of Nigeria has reportedly committed to completing the N92.12 billion second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja by May 29. This is on the heels of many years of debacles and upheaval over cost and suboptimal ramp space. Although airline operators have contended that a lack of ramp space for aircraft parking is the airport’s main concern, building the second runway has also been cited as the most pressing issue currently at hand.
Operators’ urge to increase ramp space is seen as a demand for concentrated action to reduce traffic, which is expected to impede the airport’s flawless operation within the next few years. In a media interview, industry stakeholders said that the new international terminal at the airport was positioned near the runway, decreasing the area available for the tarmac. Even with comparatively low traffic compared to Lagos, the Abuja airport apron area becomes insufficient when wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 747, or Airbus A350 are parked at the ramp.
Space in the apron is insufficient with British Airways planes.
Further research also found that two wide-body planes from foreign carriers may occupy the apron, leaving little to no space for other planes to occupy. Aero Contractors’ Managing Director and CEO, Captain Ado Sanusi, has proposed a comprehensive solution to the problem by expanding the airport’s airside infrastructure to make room for an enlarged apron. He anticipated that as Nigeria’s economy developed and more people patronizing the airline, the airport’s passenger numbers would rise.
Additionally, Captain Sanusi highlighted that traffic at the Abuja airport is rapidly increasing as more international airlines operate there, and more local carriers enter the market, resulting in a rise in passenger flow. In the event of the arrival of a British Airways plane, for instance, the remaining space on the apron is insufficient. As such, he said, the extension should be made toward the taxiway in order to have additional room where aircraft may park.
Traffic situation may increase due to the meteoric popularity of the airport.
Captain Sanusi has lauded the concept of constructing the second runway as an excellent idea in his remark on the runway’s completion in a few months. He said that while the airport does not see much traffic right now, that might change soon due to the meteoric rise in popularity at airports like Abuja and Lagos. In the event that the first runway must be closed due to an emergency, he claims, the secondary runway will be an essential alternative.
In addition, the second runway will be necessary to accommodate the VIP movement, and a taxiway connecting directly to the Presidential Air Wing should be developed so that VIP aircraft may take off without utilizing the runway for commercial or other flights. This will decrease delays encountered when VIP aircraft are accessing the runway. In this case, it would be beneficial to link the taxiway to the second runway and the VIP wing. Capt. Sanusi went on to say that it would be very beneficial to have a birds-eye view of the airport when designing the extension.
Second runway would serve as a backup for flights in congested times.
Similarly, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, a veteran pilot and aircraft engineer who served as the previous Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), said that the second airport would serve as a backup for flights due to the growing congestion at the Abuja airport. He also noted that having just one runway at an airport requires extensive emergency planning, which Nigeria currently lack the necessary infrastructure. Capt. Akinkuotu, also expressed a desire for an enlarged apron as part of the second runway construction.
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Gov’t commit to complete second Abuja runway – Airline operators cited the second runway as the most pressing issue. – Express your point of view.
Building the second runway is a nice idea because having one runway is to dangerous in a situation where it will be busy. Airport should be develop to avoid future contradiction.
Completing the second airline is really a good thing it will make things freely to move one side airline will not allow free movement and developed the airport well
It is a thought through idea for the Government to the construction of the second runway. It is indeed a foresight to the possibility of having congested runway in the near future .
The construction of the second runway in Abuja international airport is a way of being proactive when the first runway become congested in the near future. It will also servers to accommodate VIPs after construction.
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The shortage of ramp space for aircraft parking has been regarded as the primary difficulty at the airport by airline operators, and the construction of a second runway has been cited as the most important issue at the airport right now.
The completion of the second runway will really have good effect to the aviation industry and also boost the Nnamdi Azikwe international airport capacity for flight which will also boost the economy.
The concept of constructing the second runway as an excellent idea. It will be necessary to accommodate the VIP movement linking up with taxiway and other beneficiaries.
In the coming years, the airport’s smooth operation is likely to be hampered by increased traffic, and operators’ calls for more ramp space are interpreted as a need for concerted action to ameliorate that congestion.
Having two airlines operating out of the airport will allow for much more fluid traffic and better infrastructure development.
Further study revealed that there is a possibility that two foreign airlines will each have a wide-body plane parked on the apron.
As a result, a second runway will be required to handle the traffic, and a taxiway should be built directly to the Presidential Air Wing so that planes carrying VIPs can take off without interfering with regular air traffic.
A completed second runway at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport will have a positive impact on the aviation industry and increase the airport’s capacity for flight, both of which will be excellent for the economy.
To alleviate the critical scarcity of aircraft parking ramp capacity, a second runway has been identified as the airport’s top priority.
Although there is not a great deal of traffic at the airport at the moment, that might quickly change as a result of the meteoric surge in popularity seen at airports such as Abuja and Lagos.
According to him, the utilization of the secondary runway will be necessary in the event that the primary runway is required to be closed as a result of an unexpected emergency.
The number of passengers using the airport is expected to increase as a direct result of the growth of Nigeria’s economy and the increased number of people using the airline.
In order to reduce traffic, which is predicted to obstruct the airport’s seamless functioning during the next several years, operators are urged to enhance ramp space.
The second airline’s completion is particularly beneficial since it will enable free mobility and properly develop the airport. The first airline prevents such movement.
Gov’t commit to complete second Abuja runway. The development is very good. It will enhance the movement of people and other things
I hope the Abuja runway is completed in soonest. It will help aid transportation in Abuja.