The Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Osun state has received regulatory approval to start non-scheduled charter flights and will soon begin operations.

The government plans to start scheduled domestic flights in January or February 2025, with ValueJet Airline currently in place.

The start of the charter flights was applauded as a significant breakthrough for the airport.

Similarly, negotiations are on-going on with other airlines to start operating at the airport as officials finalize the necessary paperwork to obtain final approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence full operations.

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the highest aviation regulatory body in the NCAA, visited the airport recently and unanimously declared it world-class and an honour for Ogun State.

Engr. Ade Akinsanya, the state's commissioner for works, told the media that the airport is prepared to launch charter flights.

During a tour of the airport, he spoke with Capt. Dapo Olumide, the airport consultant, and Engr. Gbenga Dairo, the Commissioner for Transportation. According to Akinsanya, the permanent terminal building is 90% finished, and the airport is 95% finished.

The commissioner said: “The runway is the longest in Nigeria for now, which is 3.4 km and a safety zone of 600 m to make it 4km. The Control Tower is ready, the equipment is in place and functional.

“We will move from the Mobile Tower to the main Control Tower. Where we are today, I can tell you that we are ready to go once we get approval. We have approval for charter flights.

“It’s an important project that will stand the test of time and the success will be anchored on the agro cargo activities within the airport but we will cater for passengers as well.

“Ogun state is privileged to be the gateway state because wherever you are going to in Nigeria, you have to pass through the gateway state whether by road, railway or air. We are confident that investment in this project will be fruitful. This investment is an important one and a strategic step.”