All is set to open the Asaba Airport by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for a daylight flight operations in the next two weeks.

Disclosing this development to newsmen after a meeting with representatives from Delta State led by the Deputy Governor, Amos Agbe Utuama, Dr. Demuren noted that if the Delta State Government meets all the requirements of the agency, the Asaba Airport will be opened to only visual flight operation not instrument flight operation due to safety reasons.

“In the next two weeks, we are going to begin a Boeing 747 flight operation at the Asaba Airport if they meet all our safety and other necessary requirements,” he stressed.

Speaking further at the Aviation House headquarters of the NCAA, Dr. Demuren affirmed that with the opening of the Asaba Airport, there would be economic growth in the state as well as the country at large adding that it would also help businessmen within that sub-region to facilitate the transportation of their goods in no distant time.

“The location of the airport is in a place that will facilitate growth and be the driver of the economy in that sub-region and indeed, in Nigeria,” he added.

Commending the Delta State Governor for the airport facilities, Demuren noted that the runway was built to accommodate a Boeing 747 aircraft, while the control tower was state-of-the art, something that airports across the country would take a cue from.

Demuren said that safety was the NCAA’s top priority and so if the airport is found wanting no agreement for the commencement of flights from Asaba will take place.

Also speaking at the meeting, Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun said” it is a clear indication that this industry is growing and with this there is going to be an improvement on the air transportation and delta state has set the pace looking at the kind of airport that was built in that place”

“I believe that the airport is built potentially for growth of that region and beyond the region and particularly in Nigeria, the Delta State Government is interested in growing aviation in the state and the country and we will give them all the support that they needed in bringing this into a reality. We are synergizing with them in providing equipment that will help in running the airport” he affirmed.

Expressing his gratitude, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Professor, Amos Utuama noted that he was meeting with the Director General of NCAA and his team to fast track the certification process as the airport has already closed some of the open items identified by the agency.

He also said that the airport’s viability was not in doubt, as it was strategically located and everything was being done to ensure that it becomes one of the best in the country and the sub-region in terms of service and operations.