…Gov Eyes 24-hour Airport Operations, Invests ₦10bn In Lighting Upgrade
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
United Nigeria Airlines has announced plans to begin cargo operations at Ekiti Airport in January 2027, with daily passenger flights to and from the state expected to commence soon.
The airline’s Executive Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, disclosed this on Monday at the commissioning of Reeve Energy Limited’s aviation fuel tank farm at the airport.
Okonkwo said the planned cargo service would open new opportunities for businesses, particularly farmers and other producers, to transport their goods to markets across Nigeria and international destinations.
He pledged that the airline would be the first to lift commercial cargo from the airport once the state was ready to begin shipments.
“Let me promise you, His Excellency, for your own sake, I’m going to make sure that by January next year, we activate a cargo section of our flights, so that we can work out a deal,” he said.
Okonkwo added: “As soon as you are ready to start exporting cargo from here, whether it’s to other parts of Nigeria, it doesn’t have to be to London, but besides that, by that time, we’ll be flying to any part of the world. But if you have cargo by January, we will be the first to lift your commercial cargo.”
The planned cargo operations are expected to support the movement of agricultural produce and other goods from Ekiti to wider markets, potentially helping local businesses reach more customers and reduce the difficulties associated with transporting their products.
Okonkwo also said the airline would soon introduce daily passenger flights to and from the state, signalling plans to expand its operations as the airport’s facilities improve.
He described United Nigeria Airlines as the country’s second-largest consumer of aviation fuel after Air Peace, saying the new tank farm would help support its operations by providing a steady supply of fuel.
The facility is expected to strengthen fuel availability at the airport and support the airline’s planned expansion.
Explaining how the airline secured its partnership with the Ekiti State Government, Okonkwo said the company did not apply or lobby for the arrangement and did not pay a bribe to secure it.
According to him, the government conducted its own assessment of airlines operating in Nigeria before approaching United Nigeria Airlines because of its fleet and operational capacity.
He noted that the airline had also accepted lower passenger numbers on some flights during periods of weak demand, carrying 40 passengers instead of 50, as a demonstration of its commitment to the partnership.
“We did not apply for this partnership. But if the government did their due diligence, found us worthy and capable of serving them, and approached us, I was very touched,” he said.
He expressed satisfaction that the partnership had progressed to the stage where the airline could plan cargo operations and more frequent passenger services.
Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, said his administration was working to upgrade the airport to support round-the-clock operations by the end of the year.
Oyebanji said the planned improvements included an upgrade of the airport’s Instrument Landing System (ILS), which he said had been certified, and the installation of aerodrome ground lighting at a cost of more than ₦10 billion.
The ILS helps pilots align aircraft with the runway during landing, while ground lighting improves visibility for pilots during night operations and in conditions of reduced visibility.
The governor said completing the projects would enable aircraft to land at the airport at any time, expanding its operating hours and improving its capacity to handle more flights.
“By the time we finish what we are doing with the airport by the end of the year, by God’s grace, we should be able to complete the upgrade of the ILS that has been certified,” he said.
“What we are doing now is what they call in aviation the Aerodrome Ground Lighting. That project is costing us more than ₦10 billion. By the time we finish that, at least we’ll be able to have 24-hour operations at the airport. This means aircraft can land at any time.”
Oyebanji added that the state was also working to secure an independent power producer (IPP) for the airport to ensure a more reliable electricity supply.
He said the arrangement would make the airport more self-sufficient in power generation and reduce dependence on external electricity sources.
The governor commended Reeve Energy Nigeria Limited for investing in the state and assured private investors of continued government support.
The planned airport upgrades, alongside the new aviation fuel facility and United Nigeria Airlines’ proposed cargo and passenger services are expected to strengthen Ekiti’s air transport links and support commercial activities, particularly agriculture and trade.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
