Gusau Airport Set for Commercial Flights After Passing Quality Tests

The Gusau International Airport in Zamfara State has successfully passed the quality tests and checks by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, or ICAO. This comes just days before it starts commercial flights next month.

Plans are in place to kick off these commercial operations. There will be flights from Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Gusau Airport twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.

An official from a top Nigerian aviation agency shared that the airport's Instrument Flight Procedures went through ICAO's 17-step quality assurance process. The airport completed and passed all these steps.

ICAO is a UN agency that manages international air navigation and helps develop global air transport to ensure safety and order.

In 2023, ICAO audited Nigeria's civil aviation system and gave it an Effective Implementation score of 75%.

But in April 2026, ICAO did a follow-up check called the ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission. The official noted that at that time, Nigeria had a Significant Safety Concern, which is a serious issue. Thankfully, this concern was resolved in the set 40 days.

The aviation chief mentioned that Nigeria also needed to follow the medium-term Corrective Action Plans recommended by ICAO.

As a result, the Instrument Flight Procedures for multiple airports in Nigeria underwent a strict 17-step quality assurance process. The official, who asked to remain anonymous, emphasized this.

"Of all the airports assessed, only Gusau International Airport completed and passed all the 17 steps," the senior aviation official stated.

The official continued, "The proof of Gusau's success in this tough process was part of the documents sent to ICAO."

After the validation mission, Nigeria raised its Effective Implementation score to an impressive 95.1%.

On September 21, the Zamfara State Government signed a partnership agreement with XEJet Limited. This agreement is for regular commercial flights between Gusau Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

According to the agreement, XEJet will start operating bi-weekly flights in the first week of October. This new air route will improve access to Zamfara and create more chances for investors, businesses, and visitors.