Ibadan Airport to begin direct international flights by end of 2026

Officials say ongoing upgrades, including a new international terminal and expanded runway, will enable the airport to handle direct overseas flights and position Ibadan as a major aviation hub.

Direct international flights from Ibadan Airport are expected to commence before the end of 2026, according to Bimbo Adekanmbi, chairman of the committee overseeing the airport’s upgrade.

Adekanmbi clarified that while some airlines already offer Ibadan–London routes, those flights currently involve stopovers in Abuja and do not qualify as direct international operations.

He explained that the planned direct flights would begin once the airport’s new international terminal is completed, adding that the facility is currently between 40% and 50% finished. Construction is ongoing, and officials remain optimistic the terminal will be operational before the end of the year.

He also confirmed that domestic flight operations have fully resumed, with aircraft operating daily routes to Abuja and other Nigerian cities.

Runway expansion and cargo plans to boost trade and investment

The airport has undergone major infrastructure upgrades to support international aviation standards. Adekanmbi said the runway has been extended from 2,400 metres to 3,000 metres and widened from 45 metres to 60 metres, making it capable of accommodating large, wide-bodied aircraft.

Additional improvements include the installation of runway lighting to support night landings and an Instrument Landing System to enable safer operations during poor weather conditions. The apron has also been expanded to accommodate more aircraft and improve operational efficiency.

Authorities are also planning to develop a cargo terminal and bonded warehouses to support agricultural exports and imports. According to Adekanmbi, the upgraded airport is expected to boost trade, create jobs, and attract investment to Oyo State.

He added that improved connectivity and supporting infrastructure projects under Governor Seyi Makinde would help transform the state into a major economic and aviation hub.

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