The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has commenced flight calibration checks at the Gateway International Airport in Ogun State, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards the commencement of commercial flight operations at the newly constructed aviation facility.
Speaking after the exercise on Monday, the Manager of Flight Calibration Services at NAMA, Miri Selzing, explained that the flight checks were aimed at validating the procedures designed for the airport’s operations. According to him, the inspection is a crucial part of the airport’s certification process and lays the groundwork for future approvals.
“Our mission here is to examine the proposed procedures that have been defined for this airport. This is a vital phase in the aviation regulatory process and cannot be completed hastily,” Selzing stated. He further explained that the team had reviewed the navigational procedures, assessed them in the air, and would now return to base for further analysis. Based on the outcome of their findings, NAMA would make recommendations and necessary adjustments to ensure safety and compliance with international aviation standards.
Selzing expressed satisfaction with the physical infrastructure at the airport, describing the runway—measuring approximately four kilometres and reputed to be the longest in the country—as highly impressive. He praised the quality of the terminal building and overall construction, noting that the project reflected commendable foresight and execution by the Ogun State Government.
The NAMA official, however, emphasised the need for the installation of critical navigational equipment, including an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and other support tools, to enhance flight operations and ensure all-weather accessibility to the airport. He added that with the current level of infrastructure in place, Gateway International Airport is well on its way to becoming a viable aviation hub capable of accommodating aircraft of all sizes.
“The runway here is long enough and properly constructed to receive any type of aircraft. It is strategically positioned to handle diversions from airports in Lagos, Ibadan, and Ilorin. We commend the state government for this laudable initiative and assure them of our continued support as additional facilities are integrated,” he said.
In his remarks, the Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, confirmed that the NAMA team had carried out critical checks on both runway ends designated as “23 and 05,” while also identifying the navigational waypoint required for guiding aircraft into the airport airspace. Akinsanya noted that once the validation process is finalised, the flight procedures would be published online, granting pilots and airlines access to essential navigation data for the facility.
According to him, the successful completion of the flight calibration is one of the final stages required to obtain full commercial approval for the airport. He reiterated that work at the airport has reached a 97 per cent completion mark, stressing that key components such as the air traffic control tower, air traffic controllers, fire and rescue personnel, and other operational necessities have already been installed and are ready for use.
Akinsanya affirmed that while airport development is often a continuous process globally, the Gateway International Airport is essentially ready to handle scheduled commercial flights. He assured residents and investors that the state government remains committed to making the airport fully operational in the shortest possible time, as part of its broader vision to position Ogun as a strategic player in Nigeria’s aviation and logistics space.
The launch of flight calibration at the Gateway International Airport is seen as a major boost for the state’s economic development ambitions, with expectations high that the facility will soon begin playing host to both domestic and international air traffic.
