Osubi Airport boss attributes success to adequate maintenance procedures
BY CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO
The management of Alfred Diete Spiff (Osubi Airport), Warri, says the maintenance procedure vigorously adhered to has led to an increase in the number of airlines coming to the airport.
In his presentation at the Airport Business Summit and Expo 2025, held in Lagos, the Airport manager, Mr Winston Egwuatu, revealed that patronage by airlines has increased with Overland and Arik Air operating conveniently into the airport while Rano, Airpeace and United Nigeria Airlines will soon resume operations into the Airport.
Egwuatu, represented by the airport’s accountant, Mr. Salifu Adama revealed that Green Africa is carrying out a Chevron operation in the Airport while UMZA Air has paid the necessary fees to commence operations.
He disclosed that the airport management is encouraging the Delta State Government to float its Airline.
On revenue generation by the airport, Egwuatu said, a revenue projection of N3 billion by the end of 2025, N3.3 billion in 2026 and N3.6 billion in 2027 has been proposed.
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He said the airport, which is 55 per cent owned by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and 45% owned by Shoreline Services, recorded N1.9 billion revenue in 2024, and is deeply involved in Public Private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure upgrades and investment expansion.
According to him, the airport has installed modern baggage carousels, resuscitated the airfield lighting system, constructed a modern police station close to the location and a fuel dump.
Egwuatu revealed that they are discussing with Enugu Air to attract operations to the airport, which currently hosts Overland Airways and Rano Air as operators, adding that Umza Air has already paid the appropriate fees to commence operations, while Green Africa Airways currently operates for Chevron.
Egwuatu said the airport is moving its focus towards non-aeronautical revenue sources, and is seeking investors in the establishment of an Osubi Airport Staff Primary and Secondary School and Hotels, as well as an Aviation Clinic.
According to Egwuatu, the airport is well secured with presence presence of Nigerian Police Force Command, a detachment of Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Immigration Service and the Department of State Security Service (DSS)
On community relations, he explained that the relationship with their host communities, as evident in their warm disposition to the airport, needs adding that there are three prominent kings namely, Olu of Warri, Orodje of Okpe Land, and Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom have all always risen in defence of the peaceful operations of the airport at critical times.
Egwuatu disclosed that aside from the primary power supply from BEDC, the airport is powered by two serviceable secondary generating plants (800KVA and 810KVA CAT) with an additional 250KVA Static UPS that can stand by for two hours, a 5KVA solar inverter system for the control tower and a 15KVA solar inverter system for the check-in counters.
He emphasised that the location of the Airport is in the heart of the town and will command the patronage of any business venture owing to the high traffic network.
“Its catchment area is Warri with over 1 million inhabitants and the Western Delta with about 2 million inhabitants. There’s 4 4-leg power supply in the Airport which ensures 24hrs power”.
He noted that Osubi airport recently celebrated the achievement of its goal-zero target for the first half of the year 2025, recording zero bird strike, zero accident and incident, zero runway incursion and excursion, zero passenger discomfort and zero security breaches.
