The Gusau International Airport (GIA) in Zamfara State has passed the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) quality assurance tests and inspections ahead of the planned commencement of commercial operations in October.
Gatekeepers News reports that the development comes as the airport prepares to commence scheduled commercial flights between Gusau and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Zamfara State Government on Tuesday, XEJet Limited is expected to operate twice-weekly flights on Mondays and Fridays from the first week of October.
An official of a leading Nigerian aviation agency said GIA’s instrument flight procedures had successfully undergone ICAO’s 17-step quality assurance and approval process.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said the exercise was part of Nigeria’s efforts to implement corrective measures recommended by ICAO.
ICAO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, is responsible for coordinating international air navigation standards and promoting the safe and orderly development of international air transport.
Nigeria’s civil aviation system recorded an effective implementation (EI) score of 75 percent following an ICAO audit conducted in 2023.
The official said ICAO subsequently carried out a follow-up inspection, known as the ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM), in April 2026, during which Nigeria was issued a significant safety concern (SSC).
According to him, the concern was resolved within the prescribed 40-day period, although Nigeria was required to implement associated medium-term corrective action plans.
As part of the corrective measures, instrument flight procedures at several Nigerian airports were subjected to ICAO’s 17-step quality assurance and approval process.
“Of all the airports assessed, only Gusau International Airport (GIA) completed and passed all the 17 steps,” the senior aviation official said.
“The evidence of GIA’s successful completion of this demanding process formed part of the documentation submitted to ICAO.
“Following the ICVM, Nigeria achieved an impressive EI score of 95.1%.”
Gusau-Abuja flights
The Zamfara State Government signed an air route development partnership agreement with XEJet on September 21 for scheduled commercial flights between Gusau and Abuja.
The agreement is expected to improve air connectivity to Zamfara and provide greater access for investors, businesses and visitors.
The planned flights will also mark a new phase for the Gusau airport as it prepares to handle scheduled commercial passenger services.
