Sam Mbakwe Airport

Last updated
Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA)

Imo Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorFederal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
Serves Owerri, Nigeria, Aba, Nigeria, Umuahia, Nigeria
Elevation  AMSL 374 ft / 114 m
Coordinates 5°25′35″N7°12′20″E / 5.42639°N 7.20556°E / 5.42639; 7.20556 Coordinates: 5°25′35″N7°12′20″E / 5.42639°N 7.20556°E / 5.42639; 7.20556
Map
Nigeria location map.svg
Airplane silhouette.svg
QOW
Location of the airport in Nigeria
Runways
Direction LengthSurface
mft
17/352,7008,858Asphalt
Statistics (2015)
Passengers313,343
Passenger change 14–15Decrease2.svg7.6%
WAD [1] GCM [2] Google Maps [3]

Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport( IATA : QOW, ICAO : DNIM), also known as Imo State Airport, serves Owerri, the capital city of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria. It is located in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State.

Contents

The building of the airport commenced with the administration of the first civilian governor of the old Imo State (now, Imo, Abia and Southern Ebonyi states), Dee Sam Mbakwe, in 1983 from generous contributions of the indigenes and people of the state and throughout the Igbo land. It is to be noted that while this is the first state owned airport, it is worthy to acknowledge also that it is the first community driven airport project ever known, at least, in the West of Africa. The project also enjoyed an immense support from then successive Federal Military Governments especially under Navy Captain James N. Aneke, who saw to its completion, commissioning and operational commencement in 15th July, 1994 under late General Sani Abacha.

Other cities served by the airport are, the commercial city of Onitsha, automobile and manufacturing city of Nnewi in Anambra State, the industrial hub of Aba, Umuahia and Arochukwu in Abia State. Others are Okigwe, Oguta, and Orlu business districts in Imo State. The airport also serves some parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States in the South South part of Nigeria.

The airport is named after Sam Mbakwe, the first civilian governor of Imo State who started the project. As mentioned, it is the first state-government-built airport built from the support and contributions of indigenes of the state and entire Igbo land. [4] Navy Captain James N Aneke who was the military administrator of Imo State from 9th December, 1993 to 22nd August,1996 during the military regime of General completed and commissioned the airport in 15th July, 1994. It was later handed over to FAAN (Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria) to be managed by the federal government.

Facilities

The airport underwent upgrading in 2013-14 that covered its infrastructure and the communication equipment covering the airspace past Port Harcourt Airport as part of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) project. [5]

The airport has night landing capabilities, but for most flights in non-international designated airports, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria restricts night operations except for passenger flights during pilgrimage (Hajj).

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Air Peace Abuja, Lagos
Arik Air Lagos
Azman Air Abuja
United Nigeria Airlines Abuja

Statistics

These data show number of passengers movements into the airport, according to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria's Aviation Sector Summary Reports.

Year20052006200720082009201020112012201320142015
Passengers66,093345,078457,544200,097276,926476,063384,016265,082267,532338,943313,343
Growth (%)Increase2.svg 11.05%Increase2.svg422.11%Increase2.svg 32.59%Decrease2.svg 56.27%Increase2.svg 38.40%Increase2.svg 71.91%Decrease2.svg 19.34%Decrease2.svg 30.97%Increase2.svg 0.92%Increase2.svg 26.69%Decrease2.svg 7.55%
Source: Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Aviation Sector Reports (2010-2013, [6] 2014, [7] Q3-Q4 of 2015, [8] and Q1-Q2 of 2016, [9] )

See also

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References

  1. Airport information for DNIM from DAFIF (effective October 2006)
  2. Airport information for QOW at Great Circle Mapper.
  3. Google Maps - Owerri
  4. "Dailytrust News, Sports and Business, Politics | Dailytrust". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
  5. Nigerian Airspace Management Agency - TRACON
  6. Passenger Only Aviation Data Report 2010-13 to Q1 2014
  7. Aviation Sector Summary Report Q4 2014 - Q1 2015
  8. NIGERIA AVIATION SECTOR Q3-Q4 2015 REPORT
  9. Nigerian Aviation Sector Summary Report: Q1-Q2 2016