Sequel to the full operation of daily flight activities at the Ibom International Airport, there are indications that the Akwa Ibom International Airport will soon commerce 24 hours flights operations. This development is sequel to the outcome of the calibration exercise conducted at the airport by a team of calibrators from the ASECNA Company, based in Dakar, Senegal, where all equipment and facilities were certified to be in compliance with international standard.

The exercise which lasted one week saw the calibrators flying around the airport space continuously until completion of checks. Presenting the report of the exercise before the management of Ibom Airport Implementation Committee, the head of the mission to Nigeria, Mr. Jorin Nyanga, said that installed equipment at the airport such as; Instrumental Landing System (ILS), Very High Omni radio (VHOR), localizer, viewers and transmitters among others were all in perfect working condition.

Mr. Jorin Nyanga, an engineer, observed that the management of the airport had complied with the pre-requisite specifications and congratulated the government for ensuring that the airport falls in category two. The logistics manager and head of the Calibration Unit, National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Akeem Ogunmola, in a remark stated that the company was coming to inspect 20 airports in Nigeria and that the exercise was expected to be conducted in every six months.

He said with this confirmation Ibom Airport would operate 24 hours services after necessary approval by the authorities. The Manager hinted that ASECNA management was in partnership with NAMA. The project coordinator of the airport, Mr. Marco Fenini expressed gratitude that the team gave satisfactory report about the airport. He mentioned that the maintenance, Repairs and Overhauling (MRO) facility would be ready in March, 2011.

Mr. Etido Inyang, Special Adviser, Bureau of Technical Matters, said, with the success story, the limitation against running the airport for 24 hours has been removed. Engineer Inyang, said that operation of 24 hours service would commence after ratification of the report by the National Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigeria Airspace Management Authority (NAMA). He further hinted that the calibrators came for the inspection after the state government paid the needed fees for the purpose through NAMA. Engineer Inyang expressed appreciation to the state governor, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, for making Ibom International Airport to be certified on the map of airport in Nigeria to fly 24 hours.

The secretary, Airport Implementation Committee, described the airport as the fastest growing airport in Nigeria, just a year after commencement of flight operations. He based his submission on passengers increase from the initial 6,000 to 14,000 per month. Engineer Inyang further stated that the Director-General of NCAA had described the development of the airport as unprecedented considering when the airport started commercial flights. He informed that plans were on the way to establish a tank farm for dumping of aviation fuel to meet the challenges of 24 hours operation.

Engineer Inyang pointed out that a temporary tank farm will be acquired, where the product will be lifted from nearby Port Harcourt and Calabar. Already, he said, more airlines have indicated interest to do business with the airport; stressing that Arik Air is waiting to return while Aero is itching to increase its flight scheduled and the expected Cargo flight to and fro Dubai.