The Ebonyi State Government has intensified efforts to commence full-fledged commercial flight operations at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport in Onueke, with plans to acquire state-owned aircraft and complete outstanding works at the facility.
The Commissioner for Transport and Aviation, Collins Igboke, disclosed this on Wednesday after leading key aviation stakeholders on an extensive inspection of ongoing projects and facilities at the airport.
Igboke said the inspection was aimed at identifying and prioritising outstanding works requiring immediate government intervention to prepare the airport for scheduled commercial flights.
According to him, about 90 per cent of the airport project has been completed.
“We are here to compile a definitive inventory of all outstanding works at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport to ensure their swift completion,” Igboke said.
He assured that commercial airline operations would commence at the airport soon, urging residents and prospective passengers to exercise patience.
“In no distant time, commercial airline operations will commence here. Passengers only need to exercise a little patience with us. This airport will soon be fully functional, and I give you my absolute assurance on that,” he said.
The commissioner said the inspection team would submit a detailed technical report to Governor Francis Nwifuru to guide further executive action.
He stressed that the administration was committed to securing all mandatory regulatory approvals before the airport begins scheduled passenger operations.
Igboke also said the full operation of the airport would serve as an economic catalyst for the state and significantly boost its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport and Aviation, Frederick Nwogbaga, said the state government was eager to commence operations but remained committed to complying with standards set by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and relevant regulatory authorities.
“The airport is already operational in limited capacities, but executing scheduled passenger flight services requires rigid adherence to statutory procedures,” Nwogbaga said.
He added that the government was addressing water-damage issues identified during the inspection while working through the required regulatory checklist to make the facility fully operational.
Also speaking, the General Manager of Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Anazo Kalu, said the facility had key structural advantages, including one of the longest runways in Nigeria, which he said was capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft.
Kalu said the airport’s air traffic control equipment and elevators were operational, while a temporary control tower was currently being used to manage interim air services.
He explained that once the remaining technical works were completed, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, would be invited to conduct a final verification exercise.
According to him, obtaining the Aerodrome Certificate from the NCAA remains the major regulatory requirement before the airport can commence scheduled passenger, baggage, cargo and mail services.
Kalu said Governor Nwifuru remained committed to completing the project and expressed confidence that the remaining regulatory milestones would be achieved soon.
