The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has formally announced the start of commercial operations at the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Ogun State by confirming that it has granted the airport a commercial operating permit.
In a phone call with our correspondent on Monday, Balang Godwin, Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, verified the situation.
According to Godwin, the license’s issuance makes it possible for the airport to start operating flights. “Yes, the licence has been granted. You can start operating after that,” he stated. “As we did in Ogun, operations can start as soon as we issue the certificate, whether it is for an airline or an aerodrome.”
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun revealed the development and referred to it as a historic milestone for the state and the country.
He claims that under Nigeria’s current regulatory structure, this is the first time a freshly built airport has been granted this certification.
The airport has received a Category 6 rating for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Services and an Aerodrome Reference Code of 3C. It is anticipated that it will only fly during the day, from sunrise to sunset, supporting Area Navigation protocols and utilising a non-precision approach for Runway 05/23.
A major logistics company has agreed to run two weekly cargo flights between the airport and London, Governor Abiodun announced. Additionally, he stated that passenger operations would soon start, with the first lines going to Abuja and Port Harcourt.
“I met with a company on Sunday that wants to operate two weekly cargo flights from London to this airport,” he stated. “During the startup phase, we will also offer passenger flights to Abuja and Port Harcourt.”
The airport’s strategic significance has been further increased by its designation as a backup landing location for Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The governor was hopeful that the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport will play a significant role in promoting tourism, investment, and trade in the area.
“The Gateway International Airport will raise the bar for air travel in Nigeria and serve as a proud symbol of Ogun State’s progress thanks to its world-class infrastructure, international connectivity, and strategic location,” Abiodun stated.
