Fresh concerns have been raised over the operational status of the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport in Ebonyi State, with the Ebonyi Civil Society Coalition Group alleging that the facility currently has no regular commercial flight operations.
The spokesperson for the group, Charles Otu, made the allegation during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, claiming that the airport’s activities have largely been reduced to private chartered flights.
Otu alleged that apart from chartered aircraft reportedly used by Governor Francis Nwifuru and his wife, commercial airlines were not currently operating scheduled flights from the airport.
He questioned the purpose of maintaining an international airport if regular commercial aviation activities were not taking place.
According to him, the situation has become so concerning that a church was allegedly using portions of the airport facility for Sunday and midweek worship services.
“It is good you remembered the airport because I would have forgotten it,” Otu said.
He further alleged that videos showing the church activities at the airport had circulated online, adding that the civil society group was prepared to provide the footage to support its claim.
Otu described the alleged development as a reflection of the airport’s current operational challenges and expressed concern over the continued public expenditure associated with the facility.
The comments have raised fresh questions about the level of commercial activity at the Ebonyi airport, its economic viability and whether the facility is attracting enough airlines and passengers to justify its continued operation.
The Chuba Okadigbo International Airport was established to improve air connectivity in Ebonyi and provide residents and businesses with easier access to other parts of Nigeria and beyond.
However, Otu’s claims suggest that the airport may be facing challenges in attracting scheduled commercial operators.
The civil society group is now calling attention to the need for greater transparency over the airport’s operations, including the number of airlines currently serving the facility, passenger traffic and the extent of public funds being committed to its maintenance.
The allegations have not, however, been independently verified, and no official response from the Ebonyi State Government or the relevant aviation authorities was included in Otu’s remarks.
The controversy is therefore likely to fuel further debate over the utilisation, management and economic sustainability of the airport.
