Asaba Airport Plans Daylight Flight Operations

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Wednesday said the Asaba Airport would be opened in two weeks for daylight flight operations.

The NCAA Director-General, Dr Harold Demuren, stated this in Lagos when he hosted representatives of the Delta State Government led by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Ufuma.

Demuren explained, however, that the daylight operations would only be possible if the State government met all safety standards recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The airport is expected to be opened from sunrise to sunset because of the lack of Instrument Landing System (ILS) which aids the take-off and landing of aircraft.

It was reported reports that NCAA has had three test flights at the airport constructed by the Delta State Government, to ascertain its readiness for regular fight operations.

Demuren said final inspection of the airport would be carried out by NCAA and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) before the commencement of flight operations.

“We will not certify any airport if it does not meet the safety requirements,’’ he said.

He lauded the facilities at the airport, saying the runway was built to accommodate Boeing 747.

He described the Control Tower as being state-of-the-art.

Earlier, the deputy governor said the visit was to fast track the certification process of the airport.

He noted that the airport had already met some of the areas identified by the regulatory authority.

Ufuma said the viability of the airport was not in doubt, adding that everything was being done to ensure that it became one of the best in the country.