Keyamo writes global aviation body, orders immediate use of “Osubi” in all passenger documents
The Federal Government is pushing for a fresh identity for Osubi Airport in Delta State, arguing that years of listing it under Warri has created confusion in booking systems and travel records.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has petitioned the International Air Transport Association to retire the airport’s current IATA code QRW and issue a new one tied directly to Osubi.
In correspondence to Dr. Samuel Fatokun, IATA’s Area Manager for West and Central Africa, Keyamo said the code in use does not match the airport’s location or official name.
—Why the code matters—
At present, the facility bears ICAO code DNSU* and IATA code QRW.
Government officials contend that QRW links the airport to Warri in global databases, even though the runway and terminal sit in Osubi town.
Keyamo said correcting this would help passengers, travel agents and airlines avoid mix-ups in reservations, ticketing, baggage routing and flight information displays.
To that end, Abuja proposed four alternatives for IATA to consider: OSU, OSB, SUB, and QSB.
The ministry stressed that IATA retains final authority to pick any available combination under its rules.
—Immediate compliance order—
Pending IATA’s decision, the Minister has issued directives to domestic and foreign carriers as well as aviation regulators.
Airlines must now print
“Osubi, Delta State” on tickets, boarding passes and baggage tags instead of Warri.
Key agencies were also put on notice. The NCAA, FAAN and NAMA have been told to update all records, publications, websites and operational systems to reflect the correct name and location.
“Osubi is not Warri, and Warri is not Osubi,” Keyamo declared.
He added that the move is about accuracy, not diminishing the airport’s role as the gateway to Warri and its environs.
—Broader push for data accuracy—
Officials said aligning local airport names with global records is part of a wider effort to clean up Nigeria’s aviation data and improve passenger experience.
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If IATA approves a new code, Osubi Airport will be re-listed across GDS platforms, flight tracking apps and travel websites worldwide.
The statement was issued by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
