Enugu Airport Handed to Private Operators in Landmark Aviation Concession

In a significant shift for Nigeria’s aviation landscape, the Federal Government has formally handed over Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to private management, a move expected to reshape air travel across the Southeast.
The concession agreement, signed on Friday, transfers operational control of the airport to Aero Alliance, the preferred private concessionaire. The development marks the culmination of years of negotiations and policy deliberations aimed at improving efficiency, infrastructure, and passenger experience in the nation’s airports.

The handover ceremony brought together senior officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, representatives of the Enugu State Government, and executives of Aero Alliance. For stakeholders, the signing symbolised a decisive break from prolonged bureaucratic delays and the beginning of a new operational era for the airport.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the concession as the outcome of a “very long and tedious process,” noting that it had taken several years of negotiations to reach fruition. He disclosed that the Federal Executive Council approved the concession on July 31, 2025, paving the way for the final agreement.

With the private sector now at the helm, expectations are high that Akanu Ibiam International Airport will see improved service delivery, upgraded facilities, and stronger commercial viability—developments that could further position Enugu as a key aviation hub in the Southeast.