NCAA approves Ekiti airport for non-scheduled flights from December 15

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has granted the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, approval to commence non-scheduled flight operations beginning from December 15, 2024.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, described the development as a significant milestone and a testament to the state’s investment in the airport project.

He described the move as pivotal for enhancing the state’s socioeconomic growth by improving accessibility.

“This approval is a welcome development and a justification for the state’s investment in the airport project designed to boost Ekiti State’s socioeconomic development by making the state more readily accessible,” Oyebanji said in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.

According to Oyebode, the NCAA communicated its decision in a letter dated December 11, 2024, addressed to Oyebanji.

“The government of Ekiti State welcomes NCAA’s approval for the non-scheduled flight operation, which allows private jets and other chartered flights to land and take off from the airport between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (or sunrise to sunset), preparatory to the final approval for commercial flight operations,” the statement read.

The NCAA Acting Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, clarified in the letter that the approval covers non-scheduled operations under Visual Flight Rules for six months, from December 15, 2024, to June 15, 2025.

The temporary permit, Oyebode explained, enables the NCAA to validate pending findings and gives the Ekiti State Government time to address a few outstanding corrective actions highlighted in the agency’s last inspection report.

As part of compliance efforts, the state government has engaged relevant aviation agencies to provide essential services, including Air Traffic Services, Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Security, and Meteorological services.

It is worth noting that most new airports are initially granted non-scheduled flight approvals to address compliance issues before receiving full operational permits.

Ekiti State had previously signed Memoranda of Understanding and Service Level Agreements with federal aviation agencies to facilitate the airport’s development.

Oyebanji had earlier assured stakeholders that the airport would be operational before the end of the year.

With this milestone, the state inches closer to realising its goal of leveraging the airport for economic transformation, the statement concluded.