International passenger traffic hits 4.33m in 2024 - FAAN

By Seun Ibiyemi

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reported a total of 4.33 million international passenger movements across the country’s major airports from January to December 2024, representing a 6.48 per cent increase from the 4.07 million recorded in 2023.

The figures were disclosed in FAAN’s Harmonised Passenger Movement report on Tuesday in Lagos, covering the five international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, led the growth, handling 1.44 million arrivals and 1.56 million departures, totalling 3.006 million passengers — a 13.18 per cent increase from 2.65 million in 2023.

In contrast, other airports recorded declines in international traffic. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, handled 1.07 million passengers, slightly lower than 1.11 million in 2023. Mallam Aminu Kano Airport saw a 15.85 per cent drop to 211,671 passenger movements, while Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, declined 6.66 per cent to 35,516 passengers. 

Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt, recorded a marginal decrease to 10,827 passengers.

The report also highlighted a significant reduction in domestic passenger movements across 22 airports. 

Domestic traffic fell to 12.54 million arrivals and departures in 2024 from 13.40 million in 2023. Abuja led domestic traffic with 4.37 million movements, followed by Lagos with 4.13 million. 

Other airports with notable domestic activity included Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, and Owerri.

FAAN attributed the overall growth in international travel primarily to Lagos airport, underscoring its role as Nigeria’s busiest gateway, even as other airports struggled to maintain passenger volumes