The Ogun State government announced on Friday that Value Jet Airline will commence flights for passengers on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the newly constructed Gateway International Airport, located along the Ilisan-Iperu Remo road, starting from October 7.
This cheering news, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, followed what he called “the green light given to the airport by regulatory agencies.”
In the statement, Akinmade said, “according to the flight schedule every Tuesday and Thursday, the airline will operate the GWI-Abuja route, departing GWI at 8.30 am and arriving Abuja at 9.45.
“In the return flight, Value Jet will depart the Nnamdi Azikiwe International, Abuja at 4pm and arrive GWI at 5:15pm.
“A statement released by the airline indicates that tickets will be available as from Thursday, September 25, online, through travel agents, and at ticket desks at the Gateway International Airport.”
He added, “With the announcement, many travellers based in Ibadan, across Ogun State, and in Abuja and Lagos will have connectivity by air to Abuja and Lagos and beyond via Ogun State whilst enjoying the added benefit of unbeatable facilities at GWI.
“Members of the business and industrial sectors, contractors, bankers, government officials, and leisure travellers, among others, are said to be particularly eager to take off and arrive at GWI, from where they have indicated they can easily connect Lagos and other parts of the country.”
Gov Dapo Abiodun, in August, announced that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had granted the state-owned and newly built Gateway International Airport Aerodrome Operational Permits, marking the commencement of commercial operations in the airport.
Abiodun described the development as a historic milestone not only for the state but for Nigeria at large.
He stated that this was the first time a newly constructed airport in the country had received such certification under current regulatory standards.
The NCAA’s approval reportedly followed a thorough technical inspection, on-site verification, and audit of the facility.
Abiodun added that the agency praised the airport as a model for future aviation infrastructure in Nigeria, citing its modern facilities and operational readiness.
The permit gives the airport an Aerodrome Reference Code of 3C and an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) Category 6 rating.
The aerodrome will operate daytime flights from sunrise to sunset, with a non-precision approach for Runway 05/23 and support for Area Navigation procedures.
The governor also assured all that a global logistics firm has committed to operating two weekly cargo flights between London and the airport.
He said, “I had a meeting on Sunday with a company that wants to be flying two cargo flights from London to this airport on a weekly basis.
“We would also have flights that will be going from here to Abuja and as well as to Porthacourt start-up.
“Additionally, the airport has been designated as an alternate landing site for Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, increasing its strategic importance for both domestic and international aviation.”
He said that passenger flight operations will soon begin, with initial direct routes to Abuja and Port Harcourt.
The governor emphasised that the airport is poised to become a catalyst for trade, investment, and tourism in the region.
“With world-class infrastructure, international connectivity, and a strategic location, the Gateway International Airport will raise the bar for air travel in Nigeria and serve as a proud symbol of Ogun State’s progress.
“When the NCAA officials came last week, they came to congratulate me here. They said that by the grace of God, this airport will be approved, and the approval this airport will get has never been given to any airport in Nigeria.
“Your airport has now become a benchmark for what an airport should be in Nigeria. Yes, that was what they told me. This airport will now become an alternative airport to the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos,” he added.
The PUNCH
