The ongoing upgrade of construction and installation of world class Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), at the Asaba International Airport is certainly one of the enviable projects of this administration headed by His Excellency (Senator, Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and it promises to position the airport as one of the best in the country.
Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Communication, Fred Oghenesivbe who stated this recently after the inspection of the ongoing work at the Airport by the governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, said that the airport which was downgraded for safety reasons by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) last year, is near completion as its runway has been reconstructed to meet international standard so as to enhance smooth landing and take-off at the 3.4 km runway and 1.5km taxi-way.
He said: “The project entails physical, structural and technicalgrades such that the new and old runways are to meet required standards. Standard Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) are being procured and installed for smooth and safe landing at night and during bad weather conditions.
“The ILS is a powerful navigation instrument that enhances visibility and greatly assist the captain and his co-pilot to land heavy duty passenger and cargo aircraft without much difficulty during bad weather conditions and at night.
“Gov Okowa is satisfied with speed of work at the airport and stated that funding the project to completion will not be a problem as the state government has consistently met financial obligations to enable the consultants and contractors deliver as at when due.
“Upon completion, the Asaba International airport is expected to serve the South-South, South-East and the state as a major aviation hub for holiday makers, business people and for cargo air freight.
“Major importers in the South-East axis of the commercial cities of NNEWI and ONITSHA can directly fly their goods and equipment into Asaba to reduce cost of land transportation from MM International airport Lagos to the South-East.
“The Asaba International Airport will provide thousands of jobs for skilled and unskilled persons as more ground staff and other professional persons for domestic and international airlines that will commence both scheduled and non-scheduled flights operations into the airport shall be recruited from both the aviation sector and other professional bodies.
“It follows that traders and corporate food vendors within the airport, in Asaba city as well as hotels providing holiday packages will experience increased patronage and annual turnover as operation is estimated to hit all time high of 3,000,0000 passengers within 12 months of commencement of full operations.
“Jobs will also be created in the transportation sector as more airport taxi operators will be engaged as well as haulage of goods and imported equipment from Asaba International airport to various parts of South-South and South-East in line with Gov Okowa administration prosperity for All Deltans mantra.”
At the moment, two domestic airlines; Aero Contractors and Arik Air operates the DASH Q8 300-400 series into Asaba International airport daily. It is hoped that other domestic and international airlines will commence daily scheduled operations into and out of the airport after the upgrade and certification by NCAA and other global aviation regulatory agencies.
