Calabar International Airport recorded a significant rise in passenger traffic during the festive season, welcoming over 10,000 inbound passengers between November 1 and December 29, 2024.
This marks a 34% increase compared to the 7,452 passengers recorded during the same period in 2023. Notably, 79% of the passengers traveled from other states in Nigeria, while 3% arrived from the diaspora, primarily for leisure and to attend the world-famous Carnival Calabar.
“Capacity challenges depressed airlines ability to uplift more passengers in December 2024 to Calabar. The city could not be accessed by air as the 3 airlines that fly to Calabar had full flights and other airports nearby were all choked too. Tourists had to resort to Abido ferry from Uyo and Sea Express ferry from Oron. The ferry services increased their frequencies to carry more people .”
In December alone, an estimated 150,000 visitors poured into Calabar, with 7% arriving by air, 89% by road, and 4% by sea. Transportation spending for the festive period surged to ₦8.875 billion, a significant increase from ₦3.1 billion in 2023. The influx of visitors for the 2024 Calabar festival was 42% higher than the previous year, underscoring the growing appeal of the destination.
Throughout November and December 2024, Calabar hosted over 300,000 tourists, including those drawn to iconic attractions such as the OMR, Marina Resort, and Kwa Falls. Visitors primarily hailed from Abuja, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt, and Enugu, as well as from countries like Cameroon, Canada, the UK, and Equatorial Guinea.
The growth in aviation figures reflects the critical role of Calabar International Airport in boosting tourism and facilitating access to the city’s attractions, festivals, and cultural experiences. These developments highlight the expanding capacity and significance of Calabar as a prime destination for domestic and international tourists.
