The Chinua Achebe International Airport (CAICA) Umueri in Anambra state is now fit to receive big capacity aeroplanes following the upgrade of its Aerodrome Rescue And Fire Fighting Service from Category-6 to Category-7 by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The Managing Director of CAICA, Mr Martins Nwafor, told journalists on Sunday that the certification was achieved through equipment upgrade and better personnel capacity.
He said an NCAA audit team adjudged the airport as having met the minimum requirement for Aerodrome Rescue And Fire Fighting Service CAT-7 meaning that it was now ready to receive high capacity aircraft.
He said the management of the airport was working to position the Umueri as a major aviation route with CAICA as the most preferred destination and take off point for air travelers.
“The NCAA has audited and upgraded our Aerodrome Rescue And Fire Fighting Service from CAT-6 to CAT-7, what this means is that we can accommodate bigger airplanes.
“We are looking forward to having bigger aeroplanes operating here.
“We just conducted a two weeks long recency training for most staff on wildlife management which is a very serious safety issue in the industry. We trained them on air sign management, air side drivers as well as administrative and human resources management,” he said.
Nwafor also confirmed the introduction of a new Embraer 190, CRJ 900 by United Nigeria Airlines on the Abuja–Anambra route effective November 5, 2026.
The aviation expert said the introduction of the two aircrafts to replace the former ones was a significant milestone for air travel to and from Anambra state.
He said the aircraft would give travellers more comfort, greater convenience and a better overall journey experience as well as strengthen links between Anambra and two of Nigeria’s largest cities, Abuja and Lagos.
He said Anambra state was underserved in view of the number of air travel passengers, and that the airport was still operating below installed capacity.
He commended Air Peace and United Nigeria Airline serving the route, adding that the airport collaborative decision making process between management and operators was functional and effective.
“We have passengers, what we need is more operators to bring their flights here and also service other routes outside Lagos and Abuja even though it is not going to be on a daily basis.
“We are still at the stage of route development because the airport is new, we are working with operators to develop other routes, we want them to service other routes like Kano, Bauchi or Gombe, maybe on particular days of the week,” he said.
Nwafor said the air transport system remained the best and safest, fastest means of transportation in spite of the cost.
“Flying helps you cover long distances within the shortest possible time, it is convenient, the sector highly regulated as a matter of fact, safety is the watchword in this industry,” he said.
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