The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially approved the commencement of scheduled commercial flight operations at Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA) in Alakia, Ibadan.
The decision was communicated in a letter dated December 16, 2025, addressed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The letter grants a provisional interim operational permit, allowing airlines to begin regular scheduled flights at the facility.
The approval follows extensive upgrade projects carried out by the Oyo State Government to elevate the airport to international standards.
Renovations include the extension and widening of the runway, enhancement of airfield lighting, the construction of a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage facility, and the addition of a modern Protocol Lounge, among other improvements.
In its correspondence, the NCAA confirmed that the decision was made after a thorough review of the airport’s updated safety-critical facilities, operational arrangements, and mitigation measures, based on information provided by FAAN.
“The Authority, after reviewing the recent developments at the aerodrome and additional information provided by FAAN, has approved the issuance of a provisional interim operational permit for the commencement of scheduled flight operations at Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan,” the letter stated.
The NCAA emphasised that the permit is contingent on strict adherence to all specified operational and safety requirements, including the full operationalisation of emergency response arrangements.
With the approval, Ibadan’s airport is set to become a significant hub for domestic air travel, boosting economic activity and connectivity in Oyo State and the southwestern region of Nigeria.
