NCAA Grants Approval for Daytime Commercial Flights at Ekiti Airport

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved daytime commercial flight operations at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, effective October 4, 2025. This announcement was made via the official X account of the Office of the Chief Press Secretary of Ekiti State on October 7, 2025. The approval follows a successful validation inspection conducted in June 2025, confirming the airport’s compliance with regulatory standards.

The authorization is valid for an initial six-month period and permits Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations, meaning flights can only operate during daylight hours. The NCAA’s letter, dated October 3, 2025, and signed by Engr. Godwin Balang, Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, confirmed that the airport met the basic operational requirements for scheduled flights and recommended an interim operational permit.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji described the development as a major boost to Ekiti’s economy, emphasizing that commercial flights would enhance agribusiness, tourism, trade, and medical tourism in the state. To enable night and all-weather operations, the Ekiti State Government is installing an Instrument Landing System (ILS), which will position the airport to secure a full Aerodrome Operational Permit with a three-year validity under Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.

Earlier in April, the state government announced a ₦4.6 billion investment to install the ILS at the airport in Ado-Ekiti, aimed at enabling 24-hour flight operations. Governor Oyebanji also revealed plans to partner with a vendor to establish a hangar for airport services and highlighted the ongoing construction of a cargo shed to provide storage for farm produce and cash crops. The ILS installation is expected to be completed before the end of 2025, allowing aircraft to land even in extreme weather conditions.