AVIC-KDN calls for airport efficiency to improve 16m traffic

AVIC-KDN has called for enhanced airport efficiency and stronger stakeholder collaboration to support Nigeria’s rapidly growing aviation market, as the maiden Nigeria International Airshow concluded its three-day event at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The company’s delegation held strategic engagements with senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, […]

AVIC-KDN has called for enhanced airport efficiency and stronger stakeholder collaboration to support Nigeria’s rapidly growing aviation market, as the maiden Nigeria International Airshow concluded its three-day event at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The company’s delegation held strategic engagements with senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume—who represented the President at the Opening Ceremony—and the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN.

Discussions focused on Nigeria’s aviation priorities and the critical role AVIC-KDN can play in advancing the country’s long-term infrastructure goals.

Speaking during a high-level panel session at the opening ceremony, Tim Chen, Vice President of AVIC-KDN, underscored the urgent need for modernised airport systems to support Nigeria’s growing passenger volume.

“Nigeria currently serves about 16 million air travellers annually, with an expected eight per cent growth rate over the next decade,” Chen said, adding, “This widening gap between current capacity and future demand highlights the need for efficiency, integrated processes, and stronger partnerships. Nigeria is on the right path to becoming a major destination hub in Africa and a strong contender in the global aviation sector.”

Chen noted that many of the country’s aviation challenges including fragmented operations and ageing infrastructure can be addressed through modern airport-management technologies and coordinated, data-driven solutions.

Reaffirming its end-to-end capability across airport design, engineering, operations, and long-term maintenance, AVIC-KDN expressed readiness to partner with Nigeria in building a more resilient and internationally competitive aviation ecosystem. The company highlighted that its holistic development approach and global network enable it to deliver comprehensive solutions across all stages of airport transformation.

 

Reflecting on the company’s engagements, Mengyao Ma, Regional Africa Manager for AVIC-KDN, described the Airshow as a major success.

 

He noted that the strong participation of industry leaders and decision-makers reaffirmed the vast potential of Nigeria’s aviation sector—provided that key opportunities are addressed with urgency and strategic collaboration.

 

These opportunities span critical areas such as fleet renewal for local airlines, accessible domestic maintenance solutions, and infrastructure upgrades across airports seeking to expand capacity and improve service delivery. AVIC-KDN reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria with technology, expertise, and long-term partnerships to unlock this potential.