In Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics says that more than 15 million travellers moved through Nigeria’s airports in 20210, more than 100% of the previous year’s numbers. According to the NBS, these latest figures have been validated and verified, after being provided by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
In the year under review, the total number of international passengers who passed through Nigerian airports was 2,219,146, as compared to 1,408,026 passengers in 2020; representing a 57.61% increase. Locally, however, domestic travellers accounted for 43.41% of the growth rate, that is 13,006,481 against 9,069,295 the previous year.
The number of arrivals in 2021 stood at 6,533,740, compared to 4,870,072 in 2020. The figure for departures stood at 6,472,741 in 2021 compared to 4,199,223 in 2020.
Similarly, the total number of international passengers using Nigerian airports was 2,219,146 in 2021 as against 1,408,026 passengers in 2020, while the number of arrivals in 2021 was 1,109,621 versus 690,765 in 2020. Also, departure stood at 1,109,525 in 2021 compared to 717,261 in 2020.
Furthermore, the report states that Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Owerri recorded the traffic. Abuja the federal capital territory had the most domestic traveller, numbering 4,758,843 in total while the commercial nerve centre Lagos had the most international travellers with 1,595,522 passengers.
The relaxation of COVID19 rules which had previously restricted air travel has impacted the aviation industry and observers are keen to see a growth in the sector which contributes $10 billion to Nigeria’s GDP and is expected to grow to $14.16 billion in 2022.