Gateway International Airport to Host Facilities for Aircraft Maintenance, Flight Training School

James Sowole in Abeokuta

An aircraft maintenance repair facility and a flight training school for young pilots and auto engineers are set to commence operation at the Gateway International Agro Cargo and Passenger Airport soon.

When fully operational, the facility would ensure that aircraft would no longer travel outside Nigeria for routine maintenance, which will now be done at the Gateway International Airport.

The President, Air First Maintenance and Repair Facility, Gbolahan Abatan, made this known in an interview with newsmen shortly after meeting with the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his office.

Abatan noted that the company was looking forward to working with the state government in the development of the Aircraft Maintenance Facility at the Agro Cargo Airport.

According to him, the company plans to start aircraft assembling at the facility, adding that the company, when fully operational, would create jobs for the locals and indigenes from other states.

He commended Abiodun for building a world-class airport in the state.

According to him, “We had a great discussion, and the encouraging thing is that the governor has given us the assurance that he will give us all the necessary support to get things going.

“So, hopefully, with our certification process in place, we should be able to move in by the end of June to commence our activities at the airport.

“We also want to establish our flight training school for young pilots and auto engineers to be trained as well and we already have some airplanes in mind to use and we will eventually be able to assemble the airplane when we bring them in parts there to be able to create jobs for the local indigenes and indigenes from other states.”

In his remarks, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Gbenga Dairo, noted that facilities at the airport are first class with the longest runway in the country, adding that the technology being deployed at the airport for aircraft and airport management is the best.

While noting that Air First has a track record of excellence in aircraft maintenance, Dairo added that the state is delighted with the citing of the foremost aircraft maintenance company at the airport.