From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport (EAICA), Ado-Ekiti, is set to commence non-scheduled flight operations from December 15.
This follows the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) granting of approval for its flight operations.
The NCAA, in a letter dated 11 December 2024 and addressed to Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, noted the approval of the non-scheduled operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at the airport is for a period of six months – 15 December 2024 to 15 June 2025.
The Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, in a statement on Thursday, said the letter, which was signed by NCAA Acting Director General Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, was in response to the state government’s application for a flight operational permit for the airport.
According to the NCAA, the approval for six months of non-scheduled operation at the airport is to enable the NCAA to validate the implementation of the pending findings and to allow the Ekiti State Government time to rectify a few outstanding Corrective Action items indicated in the agency’s last inspection report.
As part of the compliance steps towards the commencement of non-scheduled flight operations at the airport, operations are to be in agreement with relevant agencies for the provision of essential services, including Air Traffic Services, Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Security and Meteorological services.
Ekiti State government had earlier signed Memoranda of Understanding and Service Level Agreements with these federal aviation agencies.
The State government welcomed the NCAA’s approval for the non-scheduled flight operation, which allows private jets and other chartered flights to land and take off from the airport between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm (or sunrise to sunset), preparatory to the final approval for commercial flight operations.
Most new airports are usually given non-scheduled flight approval to allow them to clear audit gaps in their compliance before final approval for a flight operational permit.
Governor Oyebanji described the NCAA’s approval as a welcome development and a justification for the state’s investment in the airport project, which was designed to boost Ekiti State’s socio-economic development by making the state more readily accessible.
Governor Oyebanji had earlier in the year assured stakeholders that the Ekiti airport would become operational before the end of the year.