The Akure airport manager, Mrs. Cecilia Oguama, said passengers’ traffic has tremendously improved with the commencement of flight by Air Peace following a partnership arrangement between the airline and the Ondo State government.

Oguama explained that before now, the airport recorded low traffic of about 20 passengers but was excited that passengers’ traffic has increased.

She said, “It has increased tremendously, there was a time we were having ten, twenty but right now we are having passengers in thousands, and four thousand, five thousand per month.”

She said interest in the transportation of perishable goods has increased in the area and expressed the hope that the abandoned cargo airport would be included in next year’s budget to get the contractors back to site.

“We have suppliers coming to make enquiries about the cargo airport, this is a known for agriculture and most of their produce are taken by road. So they come to the airport for enquiries on the transportation of their goods,” Oguama added.

With category 06 fire tender at the airport, Oguama said the airport has been able to attend to fire incidents in the state which has attracted commendations from the Ondo State government.

“About four times, we have been able to assist them at night outside the airport when it doesn’t impede on our operations,” the airport manager emphasised.

While commending the management team of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the quick response to issues at the airport, she said grass cutting has remained the greatest challenge at the airport.

Unlike other airports, Oguama revealed that the airport enjoys public power supply but noted that the voltage was always fluctuating.

The Akure airport boss expressed joy that the cashless transactions was working perfectly at the airport, saying that POS was available and commended the government for the introduction of cashless payment system.