Gateway International Airport in Ogun State will begin commercial flights on October 7, with ValueJet operating routes to and from Abuja on Tuesdays and Thursdays

The Ogun State Government has announced that commercial flight operations will commence at the newly constructed Gateway International Airport on October 7, 2025, with ValueJet Airline scheduled to operate bi-weekly flights between Ogun and Abuja.

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The announcement was made on Friday by Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, following the regulatory approval of the airport by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

According to the statement, ValueJet will operate passenger flights every Tuesday and Thursday, with the following schedule:

Departure from Gateway International Airport (GWI): 8:30am
Arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja: 9:45am
Return Flight from Abuja: 4:00pm
Arrival at GWI: 5:15pm

Tickets will be available from Thursday, September 25, and can be purchased online, through licensed travel agents, or at ticketing desks at the airport.

Located along the Ilisan-Iperu Remo Road, the Gateway International Airport is positioned to serve travellers from Ogun, Lagos, Ibadan, and other neighbouring areas.

The government says this new air route will provide convenient and faster travel options for:

Business executives
Industrialists
Contractors
Government officials
Tourists and leisure travellers

In August, Governor Abiodun revealed that the Gateway International Airport had received its Aerodrome Operational Permit after passing a series of technical inspections and audits by the NCAA.

The certification grants the airport an Aerodrome Reference Code of 3C and an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) Category 6 rating, allowing it to handle medium-sized aircraft and ensuring compliance with international safety standards.

Governor Abiodun described the development as a historic milestone, stating:

“This is the first time a newly constructed airport in Nigeria has been certified under current regulatory standards. The NCAA commended our airport as a model for future aviation infrastructure.”

The governor also disclosed that discussions are underway with a global logistics firm to begin bi-weekly cargo flights between London and Ogun State.

In addition, the Gateway International Airport has been designated as an alternate landing site for Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, significantly enhancing its strategic importance.

“With world-class infrastructure, international connectivity, and a strategic location, this airport will raise the bar for air travel in Nigeria and serve as a symbol of Ogun State’s progress,” the governor said.

The airport will initially support daytime operations, from sunrise to sunset, using non-precision approach procedures for Runway 05/23, and offers compatibility with Area Navigation (RNAV) procedures for improved aircraft approach guidance.

The Gateway International Airport is expected to become a hub for investment, tourism, and economic activity in the southwest region, bridging air travel gaps and facilitating smoother logistics for both people and goods.

Governor Abiodun added: