Keyamo made the call at the 9th Airport Business Summit and Expo, on Wednesday in Lagos.
The three-day summit, the 9th in its series, has as its theme: “Airport Viability is Key to Successful Aviation Business Ambition”.
Represented by a Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, the minister said that to achieve a viable airport, factors such as sustainable financial models, operational efficiency and innovation should be addressed.
According to him, infrastructure development; public-private partnerships, PPPs; passenger experience and customer satisfaction; and creating a collaborative aviation ecosystem should be looked into.
He added that creating a collaborative aviation ecosystem across all players is essential to achieving airport viability, noting that beyond their role in supporting aviation businesses, airports were vital drivers of national and regional economic development.
“Airports generate jobs, attract foreign investment, and contribute to tourism, trade, and business activities.
“For countries and regions looking to accelerate their economic growth, airports are key assets that must be nurtured and developed.
“By focusing on airport viability, we can unlock broader economic benefits, boost international competitiveness, and enhance connectivity in ways that go beyond the aviation industry.
“In this sense, airport viability is not just an aviation issue; it is a national economic imperative,” he said.
The minister said that governments, airport authorities, airlines, regulators, and private sector investors must work together to align strategies and priorities.
He said that the role of the government was to create an enabling environment that would encourage innovation, competition and investment in the sector.
He said that only one airport in Nigeria was viable, contrary to the belief that three airports were.
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