Gusau airport clears ICAO quality checks before planned commercial flights

Gusau International Airport in Zamfara State has passed the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s quality-assurance tests ahead of the planned start of commercial operations next month, according to a Nigerian aviation official. The airport completed all 17 stages of ICAO’s quality-assurance and approval process for its instrument flight procedures. The official said Gusau was the only airport assessed that completed and passed every stage.

Scheduled commercial flights between Gusau and Abuja are expected to begin in the first week of October. Under an agreement signed by the Zamfara State Government and XEJet Limited on September 21, the airline will operate flights on Mondays and Fridays. The new service is intended to improve access to Zamfara and create opportunities for investors, businesses and visitors, according to the supplied report.

ICAO, a United Nations specialised agency, coordinates international air-navigation standards and supports the safe and orderly development of air transport. Its assessment of Nigeria followed a 2023 audit in which the country recorded an Effective Implementation score of 75 per cent. The aviation official said a follow-up inspection in April 2026 had identified a Significant Safety Concern, described as a serious red flag.

Nigeria resolved the concern within the prescribed 40-day period, but was required to implement related medium-term corrective-action plans. Following the inspection, Nigeria’s Effective Implementation score rose to 95.1 per cent, the official said. Evidence of Gusau’s successful assessment was included in documentation submitted to ICAO.