International Airport

UYO – The Akwa Ibom Government says the April deadline to begin international flight operations at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, is achievable.

Mr Emem Bob, the Commissioner for Finance and Special Duties, made the statement during an inspection tour of the airport’s international wing on Tuesday.

Bob said that the airport authority had taken bold steps towards meeting its target of commencing international flights operations in April.

He said that the delivery of two passenger boarding bridges at the new smart terminal building was a major step towards meeting the target.

The commissioner said that two extra long bridges arrived at the airport on Monday after leaving the Onne Port in Rivers three days earlier.

Bob said that the Gov. Umo Eno-led administration was committed to delivering highly efficient and world-class services at the airport.

“The contractors are working hard to ensure that the facility becomes fully operational by the beginning of April, the essence is to position Akwa Ibom as an international aviation hub,” he said

Mr Oliver Ebong, the Chief Executive Officer, VKS Construction Limited, the contractor handling the project, said that the terminal would be fully ready by the end of March.

Ebong said that the facility would be equipped with highly sophisticated tech facilities, efficient electricity supply, and digitised security.(NAN)

IBADAN – Local flights will resume operations by the end of the year at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, Oyo State.

This was announced in a statement released by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Monday.

He explained that activities are in top gear to upgrade the airport to an International standard and would begin operations in 2026.

Oyelade said the airport’s ongoing upgrades include extending the runway from 2,400 meters to 3,000 meters and widening it from 45 to 60 meters to accommodate wide-body aircraft for International flights.

The commissioner noted that the airfield lighting system has been updated to CAT C standards and the fire-fighting response has been upgraded to ensure a robust safety profile.

He added that facilities are being put in place for Customs, Immigration, and other vital agencies to meet International standards.

Oyelade said the runway upgrade, apron, taxiway, and blast pads among others which currently stand at 55% will be completed before the end of the year and local flights should resume thereafter subject to approval of the relevant regulatory authorities.

“The International Terminal construction is currently at 15% completion and will be ready by June 2026 for such flights.

“These upgrades reflect the government’s vision of transforming the Ibadan Airport into a modern and internationally competitive facility.

“By enhancing our infrastructure to accommodate larger aircraft, we are not only improving domestic connectivity but also paving the way for global travel.”

The commissioner reiterated the promise of Governor Seyi Makinde that the next Hajj flight to Saudi Arabia next year will be from the airport.

Reports that the airport upgrade, which was officially flagged off on September 18, 2024, was shut down in March 2025 to intensify work on the project.

ABUJA – The Federal Government has declared the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, as the alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo SAN, announced this at the inaugural flight commencement of Overland Airways from the Minna airport in Niger State, after over a decade since the last commercial flight.

He said this decision is in recognition of the runway which meets international standard and its strategic position going by its proximity to the Federal capital territory Abuja.

Keyamo said the airport had the face, runway, ambience, and location like any other international airport of high quality across the world.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammad Idris, said the commencement of commercial flight at the airport was a testament to the cooperation that exists between the federal government and the states.

Visibly excited over the development, the Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, said the intention was to open up the state for growth and development particularly for the free trade zone for agricultural processing that the airport enjoys.