The Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport (EAICA) in Ado-Ekiti is scheduled to commence non-scheduled flight operations from December 15, 2024.
The flights commencement followed the approval by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
In a letter dated December 11, 2024, and addressed to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the NCAA said the approval of the non-scheduled operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at the airport is for a period of six months, beginning from December 15, 2024 to June 15, 2025.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode said the letter, which was signed by NCAA’s Acting Director General Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, was in response to the state government’s application for flight operational permit for the airport.
The approval for a six-month non-schedule operation at the airport, according to NCAA, is to enable the agency to validate the implementation of the pending findings and to allow Ekiti State Government time to rectify a few outstanding Corrective Action items indicated in the agency’s last inspection report.
As part of compliance steps towards the commencement of the operations at the airport, the NCAA said such must be in agreement with relevant agencies to provide essential services including Air Traffic Services, Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Security and Meteorological services.
It will be recalled that the Ekiti State Government had earlier signed Memorandum of Understanding and Service Level Agreements with these federal aviation agencies.
Ekiti State Government said it welcomes NCAA’s approval, which allows private jets and other chartered flights to land and take off from the airport between 6am and 6pm (or sunrise to sunset), preparatory to the final approval for commercial flight operations.
Most new airports are usually given non-scheduled flight approval to allow them clear audit gaps in their compliance before final approval for flight operational permit.
Governor Oyebanji describes the NCAA’s approval as a welcome development and a justification for the state’s investment in the airport project which was designed to boost Ekiti State’s socioeconomic development by providing easy access to the state.
Oyebanji had earlier in the year assured stakeholders that the airport would become operational before the end of the year.
