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Home›Margaret Ekpo International Airport (CBQ) Guide
IATA: CBQ · Calabar, Nigeria

Margaret Ekpo International Airport Guide

CapitalAbuja
Population223,800,000
CurrencyNGN ₦ Nigerian naira
LanguageEnglish
Time ZoneUTC+01:00 WAT
AirportCBQ
Distance—
Flight Time—
Visitors/yr~10,813,751

Margaret Ekpo International Airport (IATA: CBQ) is a key aviation hub serving Calabar and the wider Nigeria region. The airport operates 1 passenger terminal, handling millions of passengers annually.

Getting to Calabar from CBQ

Train and metro offer the fastest connections (20–40 min). Buses and shared shuttles are the most affordable. Taxis and rideshare apps (Uber, Bolt) are ideal with luggage or in groups.

Terminals & Facilities

Margaret Ekpo International Airport has 1 terminal with duty-free retail, restaurants, business lounges, family zones and prayer rooms. Free WiFi is available throughout.

Airport Lounges at CBQ

Multiple lounges are accessible via Priority Pass, Amex Platinum, airline status or day-pass purchase. Amenities include complimentary food and drinks, fast WiFi and shower facilities.

Parking

Short-stay, long-stay and meet-and-greet options are available at Margaret Ekpo International Airport. Pre-booking online saves 30–50% versus paying at the gate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early to arrive at CBQ?+
Is there free WiFi at Margaret Ekpo International Airport?+
How do I get from CBQ to Calabar city centre?+
Are there hotels near CBQ?+
Which airlines fly from CBQ?+

Top Activities in Calabar

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Hotels in Calabar

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Margaret Ekpo International Airport (CBQ) at a glance

IATA / ICAO
CBQ / DNCA
Serves
Calabar
Country
Nigeria
Local time now
07:23 (WAT)
Time zone
Africa/Lagos
Currency
NGN (₦)
Capital
Abuja
Coordinates
4.9760, 8.3472

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Nonstop destinations from CBQ

Margaret Ekpo International Airport has published nonstop service to 2 airports across 1 countries. The busiest are listed first, with straight-line distance from CBQ.

DestinationIATACountryDistance
AbujaABVNigeria463 km
LagosLOSNigeria583 km

At the airport

General guidance rather than CBQ-specific detail — terminal counts, lounge locations, desk opening hours and lost-property arrangements change often, so confirm those on the airport’s own site before you travel.

SecurityAllow longer than you think at peak departure banks - typically early morning and late evening. Liquids and electronics rules still differ by airport even where scanners have been upgraded.
ImmigrationArriving passengers clear immigration at the first point of entry into a country, not at the final destination, which is what makes tight connections risky on separate tickets.
Terminal transfersWhere an airport has multiple terminals, allow for a shuttle or train between them. Airside transfers are faster, but a change of terminal often means re-clearing security.
Wi-FiFree Wi-Fi is now near-universal at scheduled-service airports, usually with a time limit or an email sign-in. Download boarding passes before you land in case sign-in fails.
Food and shopsMost retail sits airside, after security. Landside options before security are usually thinner and close earlier.
AccessibilityRequest assistance through your airline at least 48 hours ahead. It is a legal entitlement across the EU, UK and US, but only guaranteed when pre-booked.
CurrencyAirport exchange desks carry the widest spreads of anywhere in a country. An ATM in the arrivals hall, or a card with no foreign-transaction fee, is almost always cheaper.
Lost propertyItems left on the aircraft go to the airline; items left in the terminal go to the airport operator. They are separate systems, so report to the right one.