The Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport located at Iperu-Ilishan Road in Ikenne Local Government Area has secured regulatory approval to carry out chartered flights, the State Commission for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya has disclosed.
He said while chartered flights are ongoing the aerodrome is working with supervising aeronautical authorities led by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to grant the relevant approval for scheduled flights.
Speaking during a tour of the airport facility yesterday, Akinsanya alongside his Transportation counterpart, Mr Gbenga Dairo and the Manager/ Consultant for the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport, Captain Dapo Olumide, said all support facilities to drive flight operations at the aerodrome are almost completed.
Akinsanya said work on the aerodrome runway has reached an advanced stage, with facilities for air fielding lightning, weather information and being expected.
He said the airport’s runway is the longest in Nigeria measuring four kilometers, with the control tower fitted with the latest technology qualifies the airport as a leading air transport infrastructure.
Akinsanya said the terminal building will be completed and operational by January 2025.
He said: “We already have regulatory approval for chartered flights at Ogun Agro–Cargo International Airport.
The airport will go fully commercial for scheduled flights very soon. We already have enough facilities for fire aerodrome safety cover. The project is 90 percent completed and is set for flight operations. Ogun State government is working in collaboration with aviation agencies including Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, Nigeria Meteorological Agency, and their team.
We have constructed a network of roads leading to the airport for multiple access. “
Akinsanya said negotiations are ongoing with ValueJets Airlines to begin full flight operations at the airport.
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He said many facilities are also in place to attract the Nigeria Customs Service to relocate its Federal Operations Unit , Zone A to the airport.
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Captain Dapo Olumide, a pilot of many decades, said the delay in getting the facility ready was because of the new regulatory template to meet in securing an operating permit from the NCAA.
He said as the first aerodrome in Nigeria to go through such rigors, the project is expected to meet many conditions above the requirement for a full operating permit.
Capt. Olumide said: “ The airport project is on course, we could advance beyond this stage, but because it is the first airport in Nigeria to meet the conditions of a full operating permit, which is far more demanding than an aerodrome certificate, we have to do more work.
“This is why the project is taking more time. It has been a learning curve, requiring more stringent. The airport has more facilities with its long runway, which qualifies it to undertake diversion flights from Lagos Airport.”
He listed the technology-driven facilities at Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport including solar-powered, satellite-based navigation equipment. “
The foremost pilot said the Ogun State Agro–Cargo Airport is best suited for the air freighting of perishable cargo,
He said the masterplan of the airport is patterned to become an aerotropolis, with plans by both the state government and the Federal Government to link the airport by rail. Capt. Olumide said: “ This airport is the best for non – perishable cargo. We have plans to invite companies for different concession options. This will trigger other investments for those interested in building hotels, amusement parks, logistic hubs, and warehousing facilities. This is because no airport is static, it is a work in progress, Ogun State Government is planning for the future, and with its location, it is ideal for Hajj operations.
“We want to assure all stakeholders that Ogun Airport is ready, fitted with the latest technology with future proof. The last stage will be to invite officials of the NCAA to give their approval. We are currently running sunrise to sunset operations. At the time our instrument landing system and the Doppler VHF Omnidirectional Range, the short/medium-range radio navigation system, used to aid aircraft in determining their flight position arrive and are installed , the airport will operate for 24 hours.”
Source: The Nation
