By Abubakar Yunusa
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved scheduled flight operations at Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, issuing a provisional interim operational permit for the facility.
In a statement on Wednesday, Suleimon Olanrewaju, special adviser on media to Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, said the approval is contained in a letter dated December 16 from the NCAA.
Olanrewaju said the notice was addressed to the managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
“In the letter, the NCAA approved the issuance of a provisional interim operational permit for the commencement of scheduled flight operations at the airport,” he said.
“The NCAA said it approved this after reviewing the updated status of safety-critical facilities, operational arrangements, and mitigation measures, which followed recent developments at the aerodrome and the additional information provided by FAAN.
“The approval followed efforts by the Oyo State Government to upgrade the airport to an international standard, with the state government having undertaken several projects, including the extension and widening of the runway and improvement of airfield lighting.”
Olanrewaju added that other projects carried out at the airport include the construction of a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage facility and a new protocol lounge.
In January, the Oyo state government commenced the construction of a new terminal building at the Ibadan airport to enhance air travel.
The construction began after President Bola Tinubu approved the upgrade of the Ibadan airport to international standards.
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