Kano International Airport

Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport

Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is located in Kano, a city in the Kano State of Nigeria. It is the main airport serving northern Nigeria and was named after Nigerian politician Aminu Kano. The airport consists of an international and a domestic terminal. Both terminals share the same runway. Construction started on a new domestic terminal, but was never completed.

History

Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is the oldest in Nigeria, with operations starting in 1936. In the first decades of operation the airport became an important fuel stop for airlines flying long-haul services between Europe and Africa. Newer aircraft however did not need such fuel stops any longer, and with the demise of the economy of Kano in the late 20th century, many international airlines stopped serving the airport. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the only European airline currently serving Kano, which they have done without interruption since 1947. This makes KLM Royal Dutch Airlines the longest serving foreign airline in Nigeria. Currently the bulk of international flights cater for the large Lebanese community in Kano and Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca.

Facilities

The airport both serves civilian and military flights. Runway 06/24 is mainly used for civilian flights, while runway 05/23 primarily serves the Nigerian Air Force base at the south side of the airport. But runway 05/23 was in use for all operations, when the main runway was rehabilitated in the beginning of the 21st century. Between the two runways lie the terminal facilities.

The main terminal with the control tower serves international flights and domestic services operated by Arik Air and Virgin Nigeria. Facilities in the departure lounge are minimal, with a newsstand near the check-in counter, and a small bar at airside. There is a small VIP Lounge for business class passengers. Duty Free shops are currently closed. In the arrivals hall there is a small bar and a post office.

On the south side of the airport, along runway 06/24, is the domestic terminal currently serving operations of Bellview Airlines (Nigeria) and IRS Airlines. Facilities include a newsstand and small bar.

Construction of a new domestic terminal, adjacent to the main terminal building, started in the beginning of the 21st century. Construction was however abandoned. The operator of the airport, Federal Airports Authority Nigeria (FAAN), expects work on this new terminal to resume soon.