Abia Airport City: Otti Confirms Runway Progress as Skymaster Seeks Strategic Partnership

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has confirmed that construction of the runway at the proposed Abia Airport City is advancing steadily, positioning the state for a major leap in aviation-driven economic development.

Speaking on Thursday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Skymaster Services Group, Governor Otti reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a modern Airport City—a comprehensive aviation hub complete with hotels and essential infrastructure to support long-term economic growth.

“We’re not just building an airport—we’re creating an entire airport city,” the Governor said. “We’ve seen airports in the country that are isolated and underutilized. Our approach is different. This is a bold, integrated vision that includes hotels, commercial facilities, and sustainable infrastructure.”

He noted that the runway construction is already progressing well and welcomed the Skymaster team’s ideas, some of which he said align with the state’s existing master plan.

“Your visit is timely. We are still in the early stages of development, so it’s easier to incorporate your proposals and expertise into our broader vision,” he added.

The visiting team was led by Princewill Ogbonna, Managing Director and CEO of Skymaster Services Group—an international aviation firm currently operating in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Milan, Italy. Ogbonna expressed the company’s interest in partnering with the Abia State Government to provide domestic air services and help transform the new airport into a regional air traffic hub.

“We’re not waiting for the market to come to us. We’re building it. Abia’s airport will be busy, and we want to be a part of that story from the ground up,” Ogbonna said.

He also praised Governor Otti for the ongoing infrastructural transformation across the state, especially the improved road networks, which he said made their journey both smooth and enjoyable.

Ogbonna thanked the Governor for the warm reception and the opportunity to share Skymaster’s vision for collaboration. The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism about future engagements.