Commercial flights return as FG takes over Gombe airport

Commercial flights are to return to Sani Abacha International Airport after three years of closure as the Federal Government has taken over the running of the airport, the state governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has said.

He disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja, adding that the President had approved the takeover.

He said the move would ensure the availability of funds to maintain the facility throughout the lifespan of its operation.

In May 2019, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced the closure of the airport until further notice due to unpaid debts.

But in June 2022, officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) inspected facilities at the Gombe airport and certified it for the airlift of Muslim pilgrims from the state to Saudi Arabia.

Yahaya said, “The most important development is the takeover of the Gombe airport by the Federal Government, which Mr President has approved.

“Already, the Nigerian Air Force is building an air force base on the airport premises and with the takeover; it means there will be more facilities and management, especially since the airports are under the exclusive list of the constitution. It means there will be more resources and there’ll be proper management.

“And we shall see to the fact that it is expanded so that economic activity will be enhanced because of the presence of the airport. It has other facilities that will enhance business activities around.”