Across Africa, Airport managers must rethink airport development as economic pressures challenge passenger affordability and commercial sustainability. Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, says airports must become engines of economic transformation. She urged Ghana’s airport operators to segment their markets and localise strategies rather than rely solely on passenger traffic figures.
Mrs Onabanjo-Kuku made the call at the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) 20th Anniversary Lecture and Awards on Monday, November 9, 2026. Speaking as a Special Guest and panellist, she challenged airport managers to measure their institutions’ contributions beyond aviation operations. Her intervention comes as African airports pursue infrastructure expansion amid affordability concerns, rising operating costs and pressure to deliver sustainable returns.
The anniversary celebration, themed “A Legacy of Resilience, Developing Further, Serving Better,” marked two decades of GACL managing and developing Ghana’s airports. Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang delivered the keynote address, emphasising the importance of safe and globally competitive airports. Chief of Staff to the President, Julius Debrah, attended as Special Guest of Honour, while GACL Managing Director Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare hosted the event.
Airport Managers Must Look Beyond Passenger Numbers
Mrs Onabanjo-Kuku challenged airport managers to recognise aviation’s wider economic footprint. She cited global figures showing that aviation and airports contribute approximately 8.5 million direct jobs. However, their indirect contribution reaches about 65 million jobs.
“Aviation or airports globally contribute about 8.5 million jobs, but if you look at the indirect contribution, it’s about 65 million,” she said. “That tells you that our job, our role and our responsibility do not stop within the airport.”
The FAAN chief, who oversees 22 airports across Nigeria, said she no longer describes aviation merely as a transportation mode. Instead, she considers it a critical factor in socio-economic development. Her argument challenges airport managers to connect infrastructure investment with broader economic activities, including tourism, trade, logistics, employment and business development.
She noted that airports under her management contribute differently to passenger traffic. Consequently, development priorities should reflect the economic characteristics and opportunities surrounding individual airports.
“There’s absolutely no reason why we should consider airport development in isolation from the entire economic development of travel,” she said.
Passenger Affordability Must Match Airport Development
However, the economic ambitions of airport development must not overlook the people who sustain the aviation industry. Mrs Onabanjo-Kuku placed passengers at the centre of airport planning, arguing that neither airlines nor airports can exist without them.
She urged airport managers to ensure reasonable travel costs, passenger safety and improved travel experiences. This position highlights a growing challenge for African aviation: developing modern airport infrastructure without making air travel increasingly unaffordable.
Her comments also raised questions about how airport charges, government taxes and airline costs influence ticket prices. Responding to a question about travel affordability, she acknowledged the different charges contributing to the final cost of an airline ticket.
These include passenger service charges, security charges and Ghana’s new airport development charge. Government taxes and airline operating costs also contribute to the overall expense.
“I’m happy to sit with my sister Yvonne and do a fair decomposition, because it’s not just the airport charge, there are other government taxes across both countries,” she said.
She expressed willingness to explore synergies and opportunities for reducing costs through cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana.
Market Segmentation Could Unlock Airport Revenue
Beyond passenger charges, Mrs Onabanjo-Kuku challenged airport operators to reconsider their commercial strategies. She argued that airports should understand their passengers’ spending habits, destinations and specific market needs before designing commercial offerings.
Using duty-free concessions as an example, she questioned why airports should maintain similar retail offerings without considering local demand.
“There’s absolutely no reason why in my airport I should just have duty-free concessions selling perfumes—I can buy perfumes at my destination,” she remarked.
Her position suggests that airport commercial development should reflect passenger profiles rather than follow conventional concession models. For airport managers, this could mean developing retail, hospitality and service offerings that respond more directly to local markets.
Market segmentation could also help airports identify underserved passenger categories and commercial opportunities. Meanwhile, localised strategies could enable operators to generate additional revenue without relying exclusively on increasing passenger charges.
FAAN Chief Commends Ghana’s Airport Development
Mrs Onabanjo-Kuku commended GACL for its resilience and resourcefulness over 20 years of managing and developing Ghana’s airports. She encouraged the company to maintain its development momentum while adopting strategies that reflect its market realities.
“Ghana, you’re already on track. I am leaving you with two phrases: segment your market and localise your strategy,” she concluded.
The intervention offers a broader perspective on airport development across West Africa. While governments and operators pursue modern infrastructure and international competitiveness, the economic environment demands greater attention to affordability, commercial efficiency and passenger experience.
For African airport managers, the challenge is no longer simply building bigger facilities or attracting more airlines. It is ensuring that airport investments generate measurable economic benefits without placing additional financial pressure on passengers.
