Only four of the 22 airports across the country are economy viable, an aviation stakeholder has said.
He said the remaining 18 airports should be converted to shopping malls to generate revenue.
This was revealed by the Group Managing Director of a holding company in the aviation sector, Mr Bankole Bernard, at the side line of the 26th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents taking place in Lagos.
He said the four viable airports are Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano.
The operations of the other 18 airports had been unviable over the years, Mr Bernard said.
He said efforts to enhance the operations of Owerri Airport, another international aerodrome to operate from sunrise to sunset had proved abortive over the years.
He called on the federal and state governments to consider the construction of shopping malls and other facilities that would attract more commercial activities to the unviable airports.
Mr Bernard said, “What are the possible solutions to consider given the numerous challenges we are faced with in the industry? We can start with the modernisation of airport terminals with shopping malls.
“This will contribute to the commercial viability of the airports and other necessary infrastructures like the internet and constant power supply to support businesses.
“We must begin to think of an alternative power supply like renewable energy to keep the airports functional and reduce the cost of operation in the long run.
“This will also make the airports viable and attractive.
“There is the area of interconnectivity within airports. The interconnectivity of the local airports to the international airports will contribute to the economic viability of the airports,’’ he said.
He argued that the suggestions he made would further enhance commercial activities and boost non-aeronautics revenues to the 18 airports that had remained unviable.
He added that government could also consider the provision of affordable hotels, which would give credence to investments in the industry.
Mr Bernard said the ability to provide Bed & Breakfast hotels around the terminals of some of the moribund airports would be of great attraction.
