The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted approval to the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport, Ilisan-Iperu, Ogun State, to commence full commercial flight operations.
The approval, issued on Friday in line with Part 12.15.17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), comes with an Interim Aerodrome Operational Permit, allowing the facility to handle scheduled commercial air transport services.
With this development, a major international aviation company is set to begin two weekly cargo flights from London to the new airport. The facility has also been designated as an alternate airport to Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, easing air traffic pressure in Nigeria’s busiest hub.
Passenger operations are also set to take off, starting with direct routes to Abuja and Port Harcourt, providing new travel and business opportunities for residents of Ogun and its neighboring states.
According to a 9am News report, industry experts believe the commencement of flights will boost trade, investment, and tourism in Ogun State while positioning the airport as a major aviation hub in West Africa.
It will be recalled that in December 2024, key regulatory agencies including the NCAA, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) visited the airport for inspection. The agencies hailed the world-class infrastructure, which includes a modern Control Tower, Weather Monitoring Facilities, Runway, Fire Service Stations, and Apron space, describing them as comparable to leading airports across the globe.
At the time, the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at NCAA, represented by Ango Mohammed, commended Ogun State for achieving remarkable progress, noting that the facilities had reached international standards and were among the best in West Africa.
The Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport is now expected to become a game-changer for Nigeria’s aviation sector, strengthening Ogun State’s role as a hub for agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and tourism.
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