NCAA delays request to reopen Ibadan airport

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has refused to reopen the Ibadan airport regardless of pleas from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria calling for the reopening of the aerodrome, after confirming that, by the extent of labor completed on the airport, flight operations can begin, The PidomNigeria stories.

In February, the NCAA introduced that the Ibadan airport can be shut down for six months to allow the graduation of upkeep and improve works. Upon the announcement, the airport was shut down, and the state authorities commenced rehabilitation work on the aerodrome to fulfill worldwide requirements.

The PidomNigeria gathered that improve works weren’t the one cause for the closure order, but in addition gaps found by the regulators.

In September, the Oyo State Authorities held an official flag-off of a N41bn improve of the airport, which was named Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, in a significant push for its worldwide standing.

The PidomNigeria, nevertheless, gathered that on September 22, the NCAA wrote to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria after an inspection train of the airport, curating an inventory of gaps observed by the authority on the aerodrome.

In response, FAAN, in a letter dated November 18 and obtained by our correspondent, appealed to the NCAA to reopen the airport after a number of the gaps raised in its earlier criticism letter had been closed.

The letter, referenced FAAN/HQ/MD/PA/VOL.37/7, with the heading: ‘‘Submission of corrective motion plans (caps) on findings of NCAA inspection of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan and request for recertification of the airport for scheduled flight operation,’ appealed to the regulator for the fast reopening of the airport, including that the working hours on the airport can be diminished till all of the complaints raised by the NCAA are absolutely rectified.

The FAAN letter stated, “The aim of this letter is to discuss with the inspection performed by the NCAA staff on 11–12 September 2025, of Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, and subsequent findings communicated to us. Whereas appreciating the hassle of the NCAA staff, we’re happy to submit the Corrective Motion Plans (CAPs), as hooked up.

“The Authority is additional happy to tell the Director Common {that a} important variety of the findings highlighted within the NCAA report have been closed, whereas efforts are ongoing to deal with the remaining ones. With the initiatives deployed, we’re assured that with the implementation of the CAPs, Ibadan Airport will proceed to function effectively and safely.”

Whereas talking of measures to make sure clean resumption of flight operations, FAAN additional acknowledged that, “In additional demonstrating the progress made within the implementation of the Corrective Motion Plans, we want to request for the recapsing of the airport for the resumption of scheduled flight operations, underneath the Visible Flight Guidelines (VFR), on the next operational situations: The each day flight operations hours have been restricted to 07:00hrs – 17:00hrs solely.

“Chief operations officer/work hours are prolonged so the airfield shall be reopened by 18:00hrs – 20:00hrs of the next day. This measure is meant to mitigate construction-related dangers to flight operations. The brink of Runway 04 shall be displaced by 300 meters to ascertain a protected distinction between the Runway Finish Security Space, meteor work website, and flight operations.”

The Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, reassured the NCAA DG, Capt Chris Najomo, of steady adherence to regulatory necessities in aerodrome work, in addition to coordinating with the venture staff to attain the well timed completion of the airport improve venture. Please settle for the assurances of my highest regards.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, stated he must converse with the Director of Aerodromes to have correct information of the difficulty at hand earlier than getting again to our correspondent.

“Though what I can say is, the NCAA underneath Capt Chris Najomo won’t give something to probabilities, including that so far as all of the gaps pinpointed are but to be taken care of, I doubt the NCAA will give its nod, however I’ll get again to you a lot later after I should have contacted the Director of Airworthiness and Director of Aerodromes.”