UMUERI, ANAMBRA STATE: Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, has entered a new phase of operations with the commencement of night flights following the completion of its airfield lighting system.
The development means aircraft can now land and operate at the airport after daylight hours, removing a major operational limitation and giving airlines greater flexibility in scheduling flights to and from Anambra.
The airfield lighting project was completed by the Anambra State Government under Governor Charles Soludo, following the replacement of runway lights that had previously been vandalised and upgrades to key operational facilities.
The newly completed lighting infrastructure is expected to strengthen safety around night operations while improving the airport’s accessibility to airlines and passengers.
The development also forms part of a broader effort to increase the airport’s aviation capacity. The state government has upgraded the facility from Category Five to Category Seven, with work continuing towards achieving Category Nine status.
If achieved, the higher classification is expected to support the state’s ambition to commence full cargo operations at the airport, potentially expanding its role beyond passenger transportation to include the movement of commercial goods.
Since its inauguration in 2021, the airport has handled more than 8,624 flights and 600,000 passengers, figures that demonstrate its growing relevance to Anambra’s transportation network.
The introduction of night operations could further increase those numbers by allowing airlines to operate more flexible schedules and potentially accommodate additional flight movements.
For Anambra, the airport’s expansion carries significance beyond aviation. Improved air connectivity can support business travel, tourism, investment, logistics and movement of goods, while strengthening the state’s connection to other economic centres.
The move also comes as the state continues to promote its infrastructure development agenda under the Soludo administration.
With night operations now active, an upgraded airport category and the pursuit of full cargo capability, Chinua Achebe International Airport is being positioned for a more expansive role in the economic life of Anambra.
The runway lights are now on after dark.
And for Anambra’s aviation ambitions, the next phase is already taking shape.
#AnambraIsRising
By Sam Opoku
