The Federal Government, through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has formally requested the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to review the existing three-letter location code “QRW” assigned to Osubi Airport in Delta State, with a view to adopting a code that more accurately reflects the airport’s official name and geographical identity.
Keyamo made the request in a letter addressed to IATA’s Area Manager for West and Central Africa, Dr. Samuel Fatokun, arguing that the current “QRW” designation inaccurately identifies the facility with Warri rather than its actual location.
According to a statement signed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation, Keyamo contended that Osubi Airport, which operates with the ICAO code DNSU, is physically situated in Osubi town near Warri, Delta State.
The statement said, while the facility is often informally referred to as “Warri Airport” because it serves the Warri metropolitan area, the Federal Government has emphasised that its established geographical designation remains Osubi Airport.
“Osubi is not Warri and Warri is not Osubi,” Keyamo stated emphatically, stressing that the clarification is intended to ensure geographical and operational accuracy rather than create confusion about the airport’s role in serving the wider Warri area.
“The Federal Government is therefore asking IATA to initiate a formal review of the existing code and, subject to IATA’s applicable coding standards and the availability of suitable combinations, consider a three-letter code that bears a clearer relationship to the name Osubi,” the minister stated.
Proposed Alternatives
Among the possible alternatives suggested for consideration are OSU, OSB, SUB and QSB.
The Minister acknowledged that the final designation remains subject to IATA’s established coding procedures and the availability of suitable combinations.
According to Keyamo, the continued use of the IATA code QRW, which is associated with the broader Warri identity, “does not adequately reflect the airport’s actual name and physical location.”
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Directives to Airlines
The Minister ordered all airlines operating flights to and from the airport to ensure that flight tickets, luggage tags, boarding passes and other passenger-facing documentation reflect the proper designation as “Osubi, Delta State”.
He has also directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and other relevant aviation agencies to ensure that the proper designation is consistently reflected and enforced across their respective systems, records, publications and operational interfaces.
Industry Impact
The Minister said aligning the airport’s IATA code more closely with its official name and physical location would strengthen the airport’s identity, reduce potential ambiguity for passengers and other stakeholders, and promote consistency across aviation, travel, ticketing, baggage and related information systems.
The Federal Government said it remains committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, locations and operational information are accurately represented in national and international aviation systems
Victor Ezeja is a Nigerian journalist skilled in producing insightful news analyses, feature stories, and interviews that simplify complex issues and drive informed public discourse. His work combines rigorous research, balanced reporting, and compelling storytelling to highlight developments shaping industries and society. Victor, who holds a Master's Degree in Mass Communication, specializes in energy, aviation, business, and economic reporting. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X