Ekiti State’s Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport (EAICA) has officially been granted approval by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence non-scheduled flight operations, beginning December 15, 2024.
The approval, conveyed through a letter dated December 11, 2024, was addressed to Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
According to a statement from Yinka Oyebode, the governor’s media adviser, the approval allows for non-scheduled flight operations under visual flight rules (VFR) for six months, from December 15, 2024, to June 15, 2025.
This approval enables private jets and chartered flights to operate at the airport between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.
The move is a crucial step toward the eventual authorization of full commercial flight operations at the airport.
The NCAA’s decision follows the Ekiti state government’s application for a flight operational permit and is aimed at helping to validate pending regulatory measures before the final green light for regular commercial flights is given.
The six-month approval period will also allow the state to address a few outstanding corrective actions identified by the NCAA in its most recent inspection report.
The state government has already entered into memorandums of understanding and service level agreements with relevant federal aviation agencies to ensure compliance with all safety and operational standards.
These include arrangements for Air Traffic Services, Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Security, and Meteorological services.
Governor Oyebanji expressed his satisfaction with the NCAA’s approval, highlighting its importance in the state’s ongoing efforts to boost its socio-economic development.
He noted that the airport project was designed to make Ekiti more accessible and facilitate economic growth by enhancing transportation infrastructure.
“Governor Oyebanji sees this approval as a positive development and a confirmation of the state’s commitment to its infrastructure projects,” Oyebode stated, adding that the airport’s operational launch before the year’s end marks a significant achievement for the state’s development agenda.