Gusau Airport Passes ICAO Quality Checks Ahead Of Commercial Flights

The Gusau International Airport in Zamfara State has successfully completed the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s quality assurance inspections ahead of the commencement of scheduled commercial operations.

The airport is expected to commence commercial flights between Gusau and Abuja in October, with XEJet Limited scheduled to operate twice-weekly services on Mondays and Fridays from the first week of the month.

An aviation official, who spoke anonymously, said the airport’s instrument flight procedures had successfully passed all 17 stages of the ICAO quality assurance and approval process.

The official said the assessment was part of measures being implemented by Nigeria to address corrective actions recommended by ICAO following its safety oversight assessments.

Nigeria recorded an effective implementation score of 75 per cent after an ICAO audit conducted in 2023.

The official said ICAO subsequently conducted a Coordinated Validation Mission in April 2026, during which the country had a significant safety concern.

According to him, the concern was resolved within the stipulated 40-day period, although Nigeria was required to implement additional medium-term corrective measures.

He explained that, as part of the corrective actions, instrument flight procedures at several airports across the country were subjected to ICAO’s 17-step quality assurance process.

“Of all the airports assessed, only Gusau International Airport completed and passed all the 17 steps,” the official said.

He added that evidence of the airport’s successful completion of the process was included in documentation submitted to ICAO.

Following the validation exercise, Nigeria’s effective implementation score rose significantly to 95.1 per cent, according to the official.

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Government had on September 21 signed an air route development partnership agreement with XEJet to facilitate scheduled commercial flights between Gusau and Abuja.

The state government said the new air service would improve connectivity to Zamfara while creating greater opportunities for investors, businesses and visitors.

The commencement of commercial operations is expected to strengthen air connectivity to the state and provide residents and businesses with an alternative means of transportation.