An aviation expert, Mr Bankole Bernard has urged the Federal and State governments to consider construction of shopping malls and other facilities that will attract more commercial activities in the unviable airports across the country.
Bernard, the Group Managing Director, Finchglow Holdings told the Business Intelligence (TBI Africa ) on the sideline of the 26th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos.
The theme of the seminar is: ‘Sunset Airports – the Safety and Economic Implication.’
Bernard observed that only four airports; Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano, out of 22 in the country, were viable and operate 24-hour services, while the operations of the other 18 airports had been unviable over the years.
He explained that this would further enhance commercial activities and boost non-aeronautic revenues to the 18 airports that had remained unviable.
Bernard, the chairman of the occasion, added that the government could also consider the provision of affordable hotels, which would give credence to investments in the industry.
The expert emphasised that the ability to provide Bed & Breakfast (B&B) hotels around the terminals of some of these moribund airports would be of great attraction, while also increasing the viability of the airport as well.
According to him, efforts to enhance the operations of Owerri Airport, another international aerodrome to operate form sunrise to sunset had proved abortive over the years.
Bernard emphasised that aviation operates with international standards and appealed to the government at all levels to take a cue from other countries, which ensure commercial viability of their airports by thinking outside the box.
He said: “What are the possible solutions to consider given the numerous challenges we are faced with in the industry? We can start with the modernisation of airport terminals with shopping malls.
“This will contribute to the commercial viability of the airports and other necessary infrastructures like the internet and constant power supply to support businesses.
“We must begin to think of an alternative power supply like renewable energy to keep the airport functional and reduce the cost of operation in the long run. This will also make the airport viable and attractive.
“Lastly, there is the area of interconnectivity within the airports. The interconnectivity of the local airports to the international airports will contribute to the economic viability of these airports.”
Bernard said this would also bring the connection to such airports; hence it would not be limited to one drop-off and pick-up.
