The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted approval for the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport to commence daytime commercial flight operations, marking a major milestone in Ekiti State’s aviation development.
The approval, which took effect on October 4, 2025, allows the airport to operate scheduled commercial flights under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) meaning operations are limited to daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset.
According to a statement from the NCAA, the authorization follows a successful validation inspection conducted between June 16 and 19, 2025, during which the airport was found to have met most operational safety and technical requirements.
The current permit is an interim approval valid for six months, pending the completion of additional upgrades that will enable full certification and all-weather operations. Among these upgrades is the installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS), which will allow night and low-visibility flights in the near future.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, hailed the NCAA’s decision as a “significant breakthrough” that will boost the state’s agribusiness, commerce, tourism, and medical sectors. He emphasized that the airport is poised to become a strategic hub for agricultural exports and regional connectivity.
“The approval underscores our commitment to making Ekiti a viable economic gateway and an attractive destination for investment,” the governor said.
With the NCAA’s nod, airlines and logistics operators can now schedule daytime flights to and from the Ekiti Agro-Allied Airport, paving the way for enhanced passenger and cargo services across southwestern Nigeria.
The approval is a key step toward obtaining a full Aerodrome Operational Permit, which, once granted, will be valid for three years under Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs Part 12 Vol. 1).
