The call for the construction of a second runway at Abuja International Airport has elicited mixed reactions, writes FUNMI FABUNMI.

The construction of a second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja has long been debated. The recent call by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Aviation for the government to build a second runway at Abuja International Airport has reignited debate among aviation stakeholders.

The lawmakers claimed that a second runway at the airport would solve the problem of having to close the existing runway for hours whenever the President uses it or there is an incident or accident.

Despite plans to construct a second runway, many stakeholders argue that the current one is underutilized. They believe that the aviation industry must address more pressing issues such as inadequate infrastructure, outdated facilities, ineffective management practices, and a lack of policy implementation. As a result, they argue that constructing a second runway should not be a top priority for the country at this time.

Currently, the country's airports handle less than 30% of the country's annual passenger traffic.  Moreover, despite N1 billion spent on airport renovations over the last decade, they are still unable to compete with major airports around the world. Despite the country's over 200 million people, Nigeria's 26 airports handle only 15 million passengers per year. The Lagos airport alone accounts for 65% of the country's air traffic.

Some aviation analysts believe there is no need for a second runway in the country's airports, claiming that the existing runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport is underutilized, handling less than 30% of the country's 15 million annual passenger traffic. They argue that building a new runway will not necessarily solve the problem of underutilization if other factors such as poor management and inadequate infrastructure are not addressed.

In comparison, Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom handled 78 million passengers per year over the last decade in a country with a population of about 65 million people, according to Statista, an online data platform. In terms of international passenger traffic, Heathrow is the world's seventh busiest airport.

Heathrow is currently at 96% capacity, with an aircraft taking off and landing every 45 seconds between 6 a.m. and 11.30 p.m.

Whereas only 597 flights land and take off daily at Nigeria's 26 airports, Heathrow Airport has 1,300 flights land and take off daily.

According to some aviation experts, the airport's current needs go beyond the need for an additional runway. Instead, the airport requires significant infrastructure upgrades, which would be best accomplished through Public-Private Partnerships.

Those in favor of a second runway based their arguments on the need to avoid airport closures whenever there are problems with the existing runways, as the second runway will be operational. "A thorough feasibility study should be carried out to determine the actual need for a new runway, taking into consideration factors such as projected passenger traffic, aircraft types and sizes, operational requirements, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness," said an aviation expert who preferred not to be identified in print. The decision to build a new runway should be based on sound analysis and should prioritize the airport's efficient and safe operation."

Olumide Ohunayo, Assistant Secretary of the Aviation Round Table, stated that the economics of building a second runway should be thoroughly examined. "Those with one runway and more flights, such as Stansted Airport in London, have been able to maintain the runway over time." We're saying that if you can't maintain one runway, how can you expect to maintain a second? "The one you have must demonstrate that you have used it to its full potential before moving on to a second one," he noted.

According to him, airport managers should obtain the necessary equipment so that they can quickly evacuate aircraft whenever an incident occurs on the runway, allowing other planes to use the runway.

"That is our point of view, but the government says, 'No, Abuja is a capital city.'" Regardless of the number of landings, a second runway is required.' However, neither of these two runways is economically viable. If the Abuja runway is unavailable, Kaduna airport is an option; however, security concerns may be preventing people from considering Kaduna airport, which is about an hour away.

"Where is the money?" This is a country that has borrowed money. In this situation, we lack funds and are experiencing an astronomical rise in the exchange rate. Why don't we just make do with the one runway we have? The bottom line is that the Abuja single runway is adequate if well managed and the necessary equipment for removing broken down aircraft and anything else that might obstruct the runway is installed, as well as if the maintenance manual and periodic maintenance are strictly followed."

Capt. Iyayi Roland, former Director-General of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and CEO of Too Brass Aviation, stated that the Federal Government had already committed more than half of the required resources to the project.

"What is called into question here is the airport company's operational efficiency." Gatwick Airport has a single runway and is busier than the airports of Lagos and Abuja combined. During its operating hours, it is never closed for more than an hour. Even a runway rehabilitation was completed without disrupting operations. How could that be? "Thinking ahead and planning ahead," he said.

A senior aviation expert, who did not want to be identified, agreed with Ohunayo. "What is the economics of a second runway in comparison to a once-in-a-decade incident?" he asked. The number of runways is determined by traffic demand, not incident mitigation. This isn't a spare tire.  An efficient airport would have cleared the incident and reopened the airport within a few short hours.

"Because there is typically only one emergency at a time, two runways are not required for an emergency."  That is, if a runway is disabled, it is expected to be for a short period of time. The real problem is one of capacity, not an emergency. Every airport has a few minutes away alternative."

According to him, the fact that Abuja will soon have two runways is great news because capacity is needed.

"The growing private airlines and national carrier are expected to grow to meet the nation's demand and positioning in the evolving marketplace where inter-African travel is expected to grow and Nigerian aviation is expected to seize this moment," he said.

However, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (ret.), former Military Commandant at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, stated, "I have said it repeatedly that none of our airports have the traffic to warrant a second runway." I told Uzodinma's Aviation Committee that neither Abuja nor Lagos have enough traffic to warrant a second runway. Heathrow Airport receives over 40 million passengers per year, and Johannesburg in South Africa receives over 20 million, but total traffic in Nigeria's over 25 airports is less than 20 million, with Lagos receiving only about 8 million and Abuja receiving about 6 million. So, what is the economic benefit of constructing a second runway for any?"

He acknowledged that the country's challenges were excessive spending and a lack of or neglect of the necessary airport safety system and infrastructure, of which the runways were the most critical component.

"In short, no one of our airports, regardless of their current traffic, deserves a second runway," he insisted.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which serves the Indian city of Mumbai, is Asia's busiest single-runway airport. BOM, as it is also known, has two runways that intersect in such a way that only one can be used at a time, making it a one-runway facility.

Despite this, Mumbai has considerable operational capability. According to Business Traveler, it handled 980 flights in 24 hours in 2018. It had previously set a record of 974. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly 22 million passengers used this facility in the 12-month period spanning April 2021 to March 2022. Its annual totals approached 50 million.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has spent over N1 billion on airport renovations in the last ten years, but experts argue that the amount does not reflect in the country.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has been advised to intensify periodic maintenance programs as recommended by documents supporting the International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 14 for aerodrome standards, which include the Lagos airport, which was allegedly hurriedly completed in anticipation of its concession by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The debate over a second runway for Abuja International Airport is one of the issues that the incoming government will inherit.