The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the opening of the Anambra International Airport for commercial operations. The NCAA gave approval for the opening of the State’s International Cargo and Passenger Airport with effect from 2nd December 2021.
This was disclosed by the apex regulator via a letter issued by its Director-General, Captain Musa Nuhu. The letter, which was shared with Nairametrics, was addressed to Governor Willie Obiano.
The state Commissioner for Works, Mr Marcel Ifejiofor who disclosed this to journalists confirmed the development on Thursday.
What NCAA is saying about the airport
The NCAA stated, “The aviation authority has received security clearance from relevant security agencies for the opening. The negative security clearance was the reason the authority had declined approval for the opening of the airport on the 30th of October 2021, when the state government had scheduled the commissioning.
“In the interim, Category B Aircrafts are permitted to land and take off from the airport from sunrise to sunset.”
The Commissioner praised the efforts of Governor Obiano who he said never relented, even while on vacation to ensure that the Anambra airport becomes operational ahead of the Christmas 2021 mass return of Ndi Anambra living in the diaspora, and other visitors.
“With this NCAA clearance, airlines already approved by the relevant authorities to operate at the Anambra airport such as Air Peace, Ibom Air, United Nigeria and others are expected to start scheduling flights into and out of the airport immediately,” he said.
In case you missed it
Nairametrics had reported in October that the Anambra State governor, William Obiano had after a tour of the airport and the International Conference Centre in Umueri and Awka, stated that it had sought approval from the federal government through NCAA to open its cargo airport for operations from the 21st of October 2021.
The Governor noted that it was difficult to create a new economic corridor without a functional international airport that will serve as a direct bridge between the state and the world.
A welcome development. Kudos the Willy Obiano administration, but why is the airport operational only for Category B?