Gusau International Airport (GIA) in Zamfara State is poised to begin commercial operations next month after successfully passing the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s rigorous quality assurance tests. This milestone comes just days ahead of the scheduled launch of bi-weekly flights connecting Gusau with Abuja, specifically from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The airport underwent a comprehensive 17-step Quality Assurance and approval process mandated by ICAO, a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international air navigation standards. An official from a prominent Nigerian aviation agency confirmed that GIA was the only airport in Nigeria to complete and pass all steps of this demanding evaluation.

The push for GIA's operational readiness aligns with Nigeria's broader efforts to enhance its civil aviation standards. Earlier this year, ICAO conducted an audit of Nigeria's civil aviation system, resulting in an Effective Implementation (EI) score of 75%. Following this, a follow-up inspection, known as the ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM), was carried out in April 2026, during which Nigeria faced a Significant Safety Concern (SSC). However, through dedicated efforts, this issue was resolved within the required timeframe.

Despite the resolution of the SSC, the Nigerian aviation sector was tasked with implementing medium-term Corrective Action Plans recommended by ICAO. The successful completion of the quality assurance process by GIA is a significant achievement, as it demonstrates the airport's commitment to safety and operational excellence.

On September 21, the Zamfara State Government formalized an Air Route Development Partnership Agreement with XEJet Limited, which will facilitate the scheduled commercial flights between Gusau and Abuja. Under this agreement, XEJet is set to operate flights on Mondays and Fridays, starting in the first week of October.

The introduction of this new route is expected to enhance access to Zamfara, potentially attracting more investors, businesses, and visitors to the region. The successful launch of commercial operations at Gusau International Airport marks a significant step forward for the state and the Nigerian aviation industry as a whole.