The Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Ilisan-Iperu, Ogun State, received approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Friday to start operating commercial flights.
An Interim Aerodrome Operational Permit was obtained to operate scheduled commercial air transport flights at the airport in accordance with Part 12.15.17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).
The airport, which would also be the designated alternate airport to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, is anticipated to host two weekly cargo flights from London to the airport after clearance.
Direct connections to Abuja and Port Harcourt will be the first passenger flights to be established.
It is anticipated that the action will increase Ogun State’s trade, investment, and tourism.
Recall that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) were among the aviation industry’s regulatory bodies that visited the airport in December of last year. They praised the facilities’ quality and completion.
They claimed that the airport’s facilities, which included the Control Tower, Weather Monitoring Areas, Runway, Fire Service Stations, and the Apron, were among the best in West Africa and that they could compete with any of their kind worldwide, making it a source of pride for Ogun State and a world-standard airport.
The NCAA’s Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, who was represented by Ango Mohammed at the time, had observed a notable improvement in the airport’s facilities since his previous visit, stating that they “now stand on par with any other tower in every standard airport in the world.”
