Ekiti Airport Ready Soon for Commercial Operations, Aviation Minister Keyamo Says
•It’s one of gains of continuity, says Oyebanji
•Declares it’s set for non-scheduled flights
Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, yesterday, said the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, Ado-Ekiti would be ready soon for full commercial operations.
The minister disclosed this to newsmen shortly after inspecting facilities at the airport in company with Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the state, and some top government officials.
According to Keyamo, the airport was 99.5 per cent completed, affirming that full commercial operations would soon commence.
The minister also disclosed that the runway, which was of international standard, has an apron large enough to sufficiently park many 737 small-body aircraft making it adequately comparable to airports in the developed world.
“As I mentioned yesterday, Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport is 99.5 per cent ready for full commercial operations. I am sure you have seen that we have gone around.
“The basic requirements for the take-off of an airport are here. You have the fire station, the tower, navigational equipment already installed, all security equipment in place.
“The runway we have here is of international standard. You can also see how big the apron is, it can park many 737s with narrow bodies. A lot of narrow bodies can come here and anchor. So, as it is today, Ekiti is ready for the world.
“And a fact that the governor has put a lot of passion and resources since he came to office is a testament to his desire for this project. What is left is to ignite all regulatory agencies in aviation to give all the necessary approvals.
“I landed here to show the world that it’s now safe for landing, which is why Aviation 001 had to land here. It’s a testament that I have confidence in the facilities here for public use. The commercial airline will start coming in anytime from now,” the minister affirmed.
Oyebanji, in his comment, expressed appreciation to the Aviation Minister, Aare Afe Babalola, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making the dreams of the founding fathers and the entire Ekiti people come to reality with their unwavering support towards the completion of the airport project.
Oyebanji, who could not hide his excitement at the current status of the airport, said it spoke to the alignment of vision of the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who started the project, and that of the current administration, describing it as part of the numerous gains of continuity.
The governor also stated that the state economy stood to benefit a lot from the project as jobs would be created through agriculture, commerce, and tourism as well as added value to properties in the area because of the anticipated inflow of traffic in the area.
“Now that the Honourable Minister has landed here, it is a stamp of authority that the airport is ready for non-scheduled flight. So, anybody that has a chattered flight can fly into this place without any fear, and very soon commercial flight operations would commence.
“It is a dual-purpose airport, it’s going to serve agro-allied products as well as commercial passengers,” Oyebanji stated.
