First commercial flight lands at Ekiti airport

The first inaugural commercial flight at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo airport landed in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital yesterday amidst excitement. This is coming two years after the commissioning of the airport amidst fanfare and excitement. Daily Trust reports that the airport was commissioned in October 2023 by the then outgoing Governor Kayode Fayemi while a military aircraft, ATR-42 belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, touched down at the airport. It was an historic moment which the people of Ekiti cherished. The elated Governor Fayemi said the commissioning of the airport project which started in 2019 was his parting gift for the people of Ekiti State. “My job is done, Ekiti Kete, “ he declared boisterously 24 hours to his exit from the plum governorship seat. However, over two years later, the United Nigeria airline, (UN 0622) flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja landed at the airport, marking the inaugural flight to the airport. The aircraft landed at 11:00a.m while the first flight from Ado-Ekiti to Lagos, left Ekiti State at about 12:00 noon, populated by students of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti. …Airport gulps N49bn Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, in his speech at the ceremony said the state has spent over N49 billion on the airport till today. Oyebanji also said Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has direct donation of the navigational aids (CVOR/DME) and control tower equipment worth $1.6 million to the airport and additionally built 100-car capacity car park at a cost of N356, 795,039.18. Speaking at the inaugural flight, Oyebanji said the challenge of the state is turning into an opportunity with the commencement of commercial flight operations from the airport. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strong support that enables the state to finance the project to completion and former Governor Kayode Fayemi, for his relentless courage and determination and Baba Afe Babalola, SAN, for his huge financial and moral support. Executive Director of CCECC Nigeria Ltd, John Zhao, said the Ekiti airport is a proud milestone for both CCECC and Nigeria. For CCECC, it marks the transformation of buried land to a fully operational aviation hub, saying an airport built from concept design and now connected to the global network.

Those who came with the first flight included former Governors Otunba Niyi Àdebayo; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Mr. Ayo Fayose; National Assembly members led by Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, (MOB), Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Hon. Akin Rotimi, among others.

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