By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Osubi Airport in Warri, Delta State will soon expand flights but will now be managed by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) because the former operator, Shorelines Oil Services, did not deliver on the promise.
Airport Manager Wilson Egwato said Warri-Lagos and Warri-Abuja flights are being operated but “we intend to open more routes because the market is very large and viable. The business is here and we are ready for it.
“Before now, we had three airlines: Arik Air, Air Peace and Aero operating at the airport, but with this reopening, we are having the United Nigeria Airline (UNA) and we are expecting more.
“UNA is setting up its office here. I believe that before the end of July, they will fly Lagos and Abuja.”
The airport was jointly established in 1999 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which owns 55 per cent shares, and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), with 45 per cent.
“In 2015, Shell later divested its shares into deep offshore exploration activities, while Shorelines Oil Services Limited took over,” Egwato told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the re-opening of the airport.
“Shorelines Oil Services was only terminated as operatorship as far as Osubi Airport is concerned, and not as ownership.
“It, therefore, means that FAAN is here to run the airport on behalf of the joint owners, Shorelines Oil Services Limited and NNPC.”
Delta State Assembly Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori, expressed joy at the opening, saying everyone was delighted to witness the re-make of history because the airport was the first of its kind in the state when it was commissioned in 1999.
Resumption of daylight operations
Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika announced on March 1 that the airport would be opened for operations in daylight.
“I have just approved the reopening of Osubi Airport, Warri for daylight operations in Visual Flight rules (VFR) conditions, subject to all procedures, practices and protocols, including COVID-19, strictly being observed.
“There will not be need for local approvals henceforth,” he tweeted.
VFR are regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions clear enough to allow the pilot see where the aircraft is going.
Nairametrics recalls that the airport was commissioned on April 17, 1999 with the management contract given to Shoreline Oil Services by FAAN.
In a letter in in 2020, the federal government terminated the contract with immediate effect, citing incompetence.
The airport has been hit by controversy since 2015 when its management changed from Shell to Shoreline in partnership with the NNPC.
