Ekiti Airport—The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has authorized the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport (EAICA) in Ado-Ekiti to commence operating non-scheduled flights on December 15, 2024. According to a letter sent to Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on December 11, 2024, the approval allows operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for a period of six months, from December 15, 2024, to June 15, 2025.
The NCAA’s decision was announced in a statement by Yinka Oyebode, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media. Signed by NCAA Acting Director General Capt. Chris Najomo, the letter addressed the state government’s request for an airport aviation operating permission.
The six-month approval was given by the NCAA to allow the state government to handle unresolved corrective action items and to validate pending findings from its most recent inspection.
Ekiti Airport
In order to guarantee the delivery of critical services, such as air traffic services, aerodrome rescue and fire fighting services, aviation security, and meteorological services, the airport must collaborate with pertinent entities in accordance with compliance standards. Recall that in order to support the airport’s operations, the state government had already negotiated Service Level Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with federal aviation agencies.
As preparations continue for final clearance for commercial flight operations, the approval permits private jets and chartered flights to operate from sunrise to sunset, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji praised the NCAA’s approval as a major victory, stressing that it validates the state’s airport investment. He said the project made the state more accessible and acted as a catalyst for the socioeconomic development of Ekiti. Governor Oyebanji promised stakeholders earlier this year that the Ekiti airport would open before the year ended.
