Sam Mbakwe Airport

Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport
Imo Airport

IATA: QOW – ICAO: DNIM

QOW
Location of airport in Nigeria

Summary
Airport type Public
Owner/Operator Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
Serves Owerri, Nigeria
Elevation AMSL 373 ft / 114 m
Coordinates 05°25′37″N 007°12′21″E / 5.42694°N 7.20583°E
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
17/35 2,700 8,858 Asphalt
Statistics (2009)
Passengers 276,926

Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport[1] (IATA: QOW[3], ICAO: DNIM), also known as Imo State Airport,[2] serves Owerri, the capital city of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria. The airport is named in honor of a former governor and politician-philanthropist, the late Chief Sam Mbakwe of Imo State. It is the first state government-built airport. It was first conceived by the late former governor, Chief Sam Mbakwe in 1982. Construction started in 1984 by the former military governor of Imo state Brig. General Ike Nwachuwu and was completed in 1996. It was later taken over by the federal government. The airport recently underwent upgrading (2013-14) which covered the physical infrastructure as well communication equipment covering its air space as far Port Harcourt Airport and beyond as part of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON).

The airport has night landing capabilities but, like most flights in non-international designated airports, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria restricts night operations except for airlifting passengers during pilgrimage (Hajj) operations.

Currently the cargo section is undergoing expansion works and should be completed by 2016.

Facilities

The airport is at an elevation of 373 feet (114 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 17/35 with an asphalt surface measuring 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) by 45 metres (148 ft).[2]

Airlines and destinations

Airlines Destinations
Aero Contractors Abuja, Lagos
Arik Air Abuja, Lagos

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Sam Mbakwe Airport - Owerri". Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Airport information for DNIM from DAFIF (effective October 2006)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Airport information for QOW at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective Oct. 2006).
  4. ↑ List of the busiest airports in Africa

External links