Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State.
The decision to proceed with a second airport therefore appears to rest more on aspirational narratives of future industrial agglomeration than on demonstrated current or near-term traffic fundamentals. Even setting that aside, claims that the new facility will create millions of jobs warrant particular caution. Construction phases generate temporary employment, yet permanent operational roles in aviation, ground handling, retail and hospitality tend to be limited in number and often require specialised skills that may not be abundantly available locally in the initial years.
In recent months the government of Anambra State has moved to active construction of what officials describe as a second international airport located in the Ndikelionwu area of Orumba North Local Government Area. The project is presented as an integral component of a larger aerotropolis concept tied to an ambitious mixed-use industrial city master plan. Proponents within the administration argue that the facility will generate millions of jobs, substantially increase internally generated revenue, attract foreign and domestic investments in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and logistics, enhance tourism prospects, elevate property value in surrounding communities and place Anambra firmly on the global aviation map. They further contend that it will deliver balanced regional development by reducing travel burdens for residents and businesses in the southern parts of the state, who currently rely on airports in neighbouring Enugu or Owerri. The vision evokes images of seamless connectivity that would accelerate time-sensitive cargo movement and position the state as a competitive node in national and regional supply chains.
