Kano Airport In Nigeria Generates N20.83 Billion Naira Revenue

The management of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (MAKIA) says, it generated over N20.83 billion naira revenue, as against the targeted N17.3 billion naira for 2024.

Disclosing this in an interview with aviation journalists in Kano on the state of the airport, the Regional manager of MAKIA, Comrade Ahmed Danjuma said it exceeded target with over N3.8 billion.

According to Danjuma, the first quarter of 2025 was also very promising and her expressed optimism that by the end of the year, the airport will surpass it’s target.

Danjuma explained that the airport processed an average passenger movement on domestic inbound of 20,472, while the outbound was 21,278 in April 2025.

On the International route, Danjuma revealed that a total of 18,687 inbound was recorded with outbound of 6,787 while domestic cargo moved 16,176 tons.

The Regional Manager further stated that for import on the International wing, it recorded 788,359 cargo movements with export of 161,367 in the same April 2025.

Airlines operating into the domestic terminal are MaxAir, Air Peace, Rano Airlines, United Nigeria, Umza, and Aerocontractor while Qatar Airways, Saudi Airlines, Ethiopian, Egypt Airlines and Max Air operate international flights.

He said the management of the airport will continue to focus mainly on non-aeronautical areas to establish a stream of income to make a difference for the growth of the airport.

“I actually have an ambitious plan for this airport. I have seen the potentials associated with this airport. I have seen ways and means we can improve our revenue generation, particularly on the non-Aero,” he said, noting that Kano Airport was statistically located at the heart of the city giving it a proximity to businesses that can cluster around the airport.

“Recently, we’ve given out some portion of land to a business entity that is going to build a hotel within the domestic terminal site. That will also bring in a lot of money for us. And like I said, you know, leveraging on the focus of the management, particularly the MD, on non-aero.”

“So for that, I’ve already started discussion with some business owners in around Kano City, with whom I knew personally and I’ve also seen some unused areas in the airport, particularly the private lounge. You know, that was built and abandoned.”

On the current status of the airport, both local and international, Danjuma said both were operational with the domestic airlines operating from the old international terminal stressing that the main domestic terminal that used to be called Dankabo terminal was under renovation.

According to him, that led to the movement of operations to the old international terminal. “So, currently, we operate that terminal as well as the international terminal and they’re all operating to a reasonable extent.”

On the collapsed POP roof, Danjuma disclosed that it was due to heavy leakage from the roof for the POP for the past two years and that effort has been made to fix it.

With the staff strength of about 1,255, the airport manager noted that the fantastic edifice under construction, when completed, will provide the basic and the most conducive environment for workers and travelers.

Danjuma revealed that the Managing Director of FAAN had promised that the Dankabo terminal will be fully operational in the next few months and all operations will be moved to the place particularly the domestic.

On the poor cooling system of the domestic terminal being used, Danjuma said those air conditions were installed for about 17 years and worked nearly 24 hours adding that maintenance was  becoming difficult. “But we are trying our best. When I came in, virtually all of them both at the arrival and the waiting lounge; most of the air conditioners were not in serviceable condition. So we tried to fix all the ones at the waiting lounge.”

Speaking on the welfare of staff and difficulties in getting shuttle vehicles from the airport to town, Danjuma said a meeting with the unions was held and agreed that shuttle buses,  particularly for staff be introduced so that they can be shuttling from the departure area of domestic, international and new block down to town.

He stated that some  groups have applied for registration as shuttle operators that will also checkmate the exorbitant rate the current ones were charging, adding that by the time competition set in, the fare will come down.

According to MAKIA Regional Manager, his major concern as far as infrastructure was concerned in Kano remained the runway pavement. He revealed that the runway of Kano airport needed to be totally resurfaced saying it has outlived its lifespan for about 14 years.

“Thank God the MD has assured us that Kano has been captured for resurfacing. So, in the shortest possible time, some contractors have been coming around to take samples and measure all the two runways.”

“Definitely, when that is done, I will be rest assured that at least the surface of the runway will be fantastic, but for now, we will keep on doing palliative work to make it safe for aircraft operations, while other facilities too, all aged facilities, particularly the terminal building, until that terminal is put into use, we’ll continue to monitor it.”

Danjuma commended the management of FAAN, sister agencies and security operatives at the airport for their support and ensuring safety.