The Ekiti State Government has signed on AAC Management Ltd, a respected airport facility management company, to handle the operations of the Ekiti International Cargo Airport in preparation for the start of commercial flight services.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji made this announcement during a meeting with AAC Management Ltd’s top executives, led by Managing Director Christophe Penninck, in Ado-Ekiti.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the airport meets global standards in safety, infrastructure, and operations.
“We don’t want an airport in name but one that meets all conditionality for 24 hours access,” Oyebanji said. “This is why whatever it’s going to cost us, we are going to put an ILS in place because for the airport to be competitive, we must put in place standard facilities that every airline will want to land there.”
The governor described aviation as a key driver in the state’s economic development strategy and said the airport project was a deliberate move to boost connectivity, investment, and tourism in Ekiti and the wider region.
“For us as a government, we are desirous of doing well, we are desirous of attracting investors and tourists to the state. So, creating access through transportation is key,” he said.
Oyebanji also acknowledged ongoing challenges with airport infrastructure, particularly electricity supply.
He noted that efforts are being made to connect the airport to the national grid through the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), and a partnership with a private power firm is also in the works to link the facility to an Independent Power Plant (IPP).
The governor revealed that the federal government had awarded the contract for the airport road and that construction would begin soon. Additionally, the ring road connecting to the airport is expected to be completed by June.
The state is also positioning the airport as a regional hub for Hajj and Christian pilgrimage operations, with plans to install an Instrument Landing System (ILS) by the end of the year to enable night flights.
Penninck, in his remarks, praised the government’s commitment and noted the airport’s potential for growth.
“The airport is already generating revenue for the state,” he said, emphasizing the importance of attracting airlines to make the airport viable. “I want to ensure the airport becomes profitable for the state and builds the capacity to run itself.”
He expressed confidence in the airport’s future, citing the state’s efforts to attract investors and industries that would rely on air transport services.
