FAAN Facilitates 20,472 Domestic, 18,687 Foreign Passengers At Kano Airport

The management of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (MAKIA) has said that the airport processed an average passenger movement on domestic inbound of 20,472 in 2024.

Speaking to newsmen, the Regional Manager, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), of MAKIA, Ahmed Danjuma, said on the International route, the airport processed a total of 18,687 inbound passengers.

He also disclosed that the airport generated over N20.83 billion naira revenue as against the targeted N17.3 billion naira in 2024

Danjuma said it recorded a target of over N3.8 billion, saying the first quarter of 2025 was also very promising, expressed optimism that by the end of the year, the airport will surpass its target.

Danjuma said, “The airport processed an average passenger movement on domestic inbound of 20,472, while the outbound was 21,278 in April 2025. On the International route, Danjuma revealed that a total of 18,687 inbound was recorded with an outbound of 6,787, while domestic cargo moved 16,176 tons.”

The Regional Manager further stated that for imports on the International wing, it recorded 788,359 cargo movements with exports of 161,367 in April 2025.

Airlines operating into the domestic terminal are Maxair, Air Peace, Rano Airlines, United Nigeria, Umza, and Aero contractor, while Qatar Airways, Saudi Airlines, Ethiopian, and Egypt Airlines operate internationally.

He said the management of the airport will continue to focus mainly on non-aeronautical areas to establish a stream of income to make a difference in the growth of the airport.

“I actually have an ambitious plan for this airport. I have seen the potential associated with this airport.  I have seen ways and means we can improve our revenue generation, particularly on the non-Aero.”

He noted that Kano Airport was statistically located at the heart of the city, giving it proximity to businesses that can cluster around the airport.

“Recently, we’ve given out some portion of land to a business entity that is going to build a hotel within the domestic terminal site. That will also bring in a lot of money for us.

And like I said, you know, leveraging on the focus of the management, particularly the MD, on non-aero. So for that, I’ve already started discussions with some business owners around Kano City, with whom I have a personal relationship. And I’ve also seen some unused areas in the airport, particularly the private lounge, you know, that was built and abandoned”

On the current status of the airport, both local and international, Danjuma said both were operational with the domestic airlines operating from the old international terminal, stressing that as the main domestic terminal, which used to be called Dankabo terminal, was under renovation.

According to him, that led to the movement of operations to the old international terminal. “So currently we operate that terminal as well as the international terminal. And they’re all operating to a reasonable extent”

On the collapsed POP roof, Danjuma disclosed that it was due to heavy leakage from the roof for the past two years, and efforts have been made to fix it.

He maintained that, as an old structure, maintenance was always very difficult, but to continue doing palliative work to make a quick fix to uplift the building’s facade in the meantime.

With the staff strength of about 1,255, the airport manager noted that the fantastic edifice under construction, when completed, will provide the basic and most conducive environment for workers and travellers

Danjuma revealed that the Managing Director of FAAN has promised that the Dankabo terminal will be fully operational in the next few months and all operations will be moved to the place particularly the domestic

On the poor cooling system of the Domestic terminal being used, Danjuma said, those air conditions were installed for the past almost 17 years and worked nearly 24 hours adding that maintenance was  becoming difficult “but we are trying our best when i came in virtually all of them both at the arrival and the waiting lounge most of the Air conditioners were not in serviceable condition so we tried to fix all the ones at the waiting lounge”

Speaking on the welfare of staff and difficulties in getting shuttle vehicles from the airport to town, Danjuma said, a meeting with the unions was held and agreed that shuttle buses  particularly for staff be introduced so that they can be shuttled from the departure area of domestic, international and new block down to town

He stated that some groups have applied for registration as shuttle operators that will also checkmate the exorbitant rates the current ones were charging, adding that by the time competition sets in, the fare will come down.

According to the MAKIA regional manager, his major concern as far as infrastructure was concerned in Kano remained the runway pavement.

He revealed that the runway of Kano airport needed to be totally resurfaced saying it has outlived its lifespan for about 14 years

“Thank God, the MD has assured us that Kano has been captured for resurfacing, so in the shortest possible time, some contractors have been coming around to take samples and measure both runways”.

“So, definitely, when that is done, I will be rest assured that at least the surface of the runway will be fantastic, but for now, we will keep on doing palliative to make it safe for aircraft operations, while other facilities too, all aged facilities, particularly the terminal building, until that terminal is put into use, we’ll continue to monitor it”.

Danjuma commended the management of FAAN, sister agencies and security operatives at the airport for their support and ensuring safety.