By Akinwale Kasali
Local Flights to start later this year
The upgraded Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, Oyo State has been given a new breathe of life by the Federal Government and it is expected to begin Local Flights operations by the end of the year.
This development was announced in a statement released by the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Monday.
He explained that activities are in top gear to upgrade the airport to an International standard and would begin operations in 2026.
Oyelade said the airport’s ongoing upgrades include extending the runway from 2,400 meters to 3,000 meters and widening it from 45 to 60 meters to accommodate wide-body aircraft for International
He noted that the airfield lighting system has been updated to CAT C standards and the fire-fighting response has been upgraded to ensure a robust safety profile.
He added that facilities are being put in place for Customs, Immigration, and other vital agencies to meet International standards.
He said the runway upgrade, apron, taxiway, and blast pads among others which currently stand at 55% will be completed before the end of the year and local flights should resume thereafter subject to approval of the relevant regulatory authorities.
“The International Terminal construction is currently at 15% completion and will be ready by June 2026 for such flights.
“These upgrades reflect the government’s vision of transforming the Ibadan Airport into a modern and internationally competitive facility.
“By enhancing our infrastructure to accommodate larger aircraft, we are not only improving domestic connectivity but also paving the way for global travel.”
The Commissioner reiterated the promise of Governor Seyi Makinde that the next Hajj flight to Saudi Arabia next year will be from the airport.
It would be recalled that the flagged off for the upgrading of the airport was done on September 18, 2024, and was officially was shut down in March 2025 to intensify work on the project.
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