The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has faulted a recent ranking by SleepingInAirports.net which claimed that Port Harcourt International Airport was the worst airport in the world.
The Port Harcourt Airport topped the list of the 10 worst Airports in the world in 2015.
FAAN’s General Manager on Corporate Affairs, Mr Yakubu Dati, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 released a statement condemning the claims.
The statement said, “Our stand is that the said ranking was unfounded as it did not take cognisance of the fact that the airport terminal was still undergoing remodeling.
“Some of its terminal operations are still conducted in a temporary structure.”
According to the statement, the existing domestic terminal, from which both international and local flights were conducted, was undergoing renovation.
The statement added: “Apart from this, construction work is also in progress at the site of the new international terminal.
“We believe that operations at such an airport where construction work is going on simultaneously with normal flight and related operations cannot be as conducive as in those airports where there are no on-going construction projects.
“Neither can environments at such different scenarios be equally clean, the statement added.
It said FAAN was aware of the enormous challenges posed by the peculiar operational situation at the airport and had taken several measures to alleviate the difficulties faced by passengers and other airport users.
“We wish to assure all passengers, airline operators and other airport users that services at our airports are delivered at recommended international standards that ensure safety, security and comfort.
“While we regret any inconvenience experienced at these airports, including Port Harcourt International Airport, due to on-going construction projects, we promise that services at these airports will surely get better at the completion of these projects.”
