Commercial Flight Operations Resume at Ibadan Airport
…As Permit subject to strict compliance with safety conditions
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the resumption of scheduled commercial flight operations at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan.
The approval was conveyed in a letter dated December 16, 2025, addressed to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). According to the letter, the NCAA granted a provisional interim operational permit for the commencement of scheduled flight operations at the airport.
The approval follows ongoing efforts by the Oyo State Government to upgrade the airport to international status. The upgrade includes the extension and widening of the runway, improvement of airfield lighting systems, construction of a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage facility, and the development of a new Protocol Lounge, among other infrastructure projects.
The NCAA said the decision was reached after reviewing the updated status of safety-critical facilities, operational arrangements, and mitigation measures at the aerodrome, as well as additional information provided by FAAN.
It noted that approval for non-scheduled flight operations had earlier been granted.
Part of the letter reads:
“The Authority refers to its earlier correspondence Ref. No: NCAA/DAAS/TECH/008/VOL 1/173 dated 12th December, 2025, regarding the operational status of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA), Ibadan, and the temporary approval granted for non-scheduled operations.
“Following recent developments at the aerodrome and the additional information provided by FAAN, the Authority has reviewed the updated status of safety-critical facilities, operational arrangements, and mitigation measures currently in place.
“In view of the above, and pursuant to the provisions of Nig. CARs Part 12, Volume I (2023), approval is hereby granted for the issuance of a provisional interim operational permit for the commencement of scheduled flight operations at Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan.”
The NCAA added that the provisional interim permit is subject to strict compliance with stipulated conditions, including the full operationalisation of emergency response arrangements.
