Oyo State Government said local flights will resume operations by the end of the year at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan.

Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, in a statement, said activities are in top gear to upgrade the airport to an International standard.

The airport upgrade, which was officially flagged off on September 18, 2024, was shut down in March 2025 to intensify work.

The Commissioner said that the ongoing upgrade at the airport includes extension of the runway from 2,400 meters to 3,000 meters, widening of the runway from 45 to 60 meters to accommodate wide-body aircraft for International flights.

He noted that the airfield lighting system has been updated to CAT C standards, and the fire-fighting response has been upgraded to ensure a robust safety profile.

Oyelade hinted that facilities are being put in place for Customs, Immigration, and other vital agencies to meet International standards.

The Commissioner said that the runway upgrade, apron, taxiway, blast pads, among others, which currently stands at 55%, will be completed before the end of the year, and local flights should resume thereafter, subject to approval of the relevant regulatory authorities.”

Oyelade said the international terminal construction, which is currently at 15% completion, will be ready by June 2026 for such flights.

The commissioner stated that these upgrades reflect the government’s vision of transforming the Ibadan Airport into a modern and internationally competitive facility.

“By enhancing our infrastructure to accommodate larger aircraft, we are not only improving domestic connectivity but also paving the way for global travel,” he said.

He reiterated the promise of Governor Seyi Makinde that the 2026 Hajj flight to Saudi Arabia will be from the airport.