Nigeria seeks IATA code change for Osubi Airport

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has formally requested the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to review and change the three-letter location code for Osubi Airport in Delta State.

The current code, QRW, is associated with the broader Warri identity. While the airport serves the Warri metropolitan area, the federal government seeks a code that more accurately reflects the facility’s official name and its physical location in Osubi town. Keyamo noted that the existing code does not adequately represent the airport’s actual geographical identity, which could cause uncertainty for travelers and stakeholders using flight tickets, baggage tags, and reservation systems.

In a letter addressed to the IATA Area Manager for West and Central Africa, Samuel Fatokun, the Minister suggested several potential alternatives for consideration, including OSU, OSB, SUB, and QSB. The final designation will be subject to IATA’s established coding standards and availability.