Governor Dauda Lawal Hails Historic Milestone as Gusau International Airport Completes Successful Maiden Flight Test

Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal witnesses the historic first flight test at Gusau International Airport, marking the end of a 30-year aviation gap in the state.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 5:35 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from NewsDiary Online

Maiden Flight Landing Marks End of Zamfara’s Three-Decade Aviation Lull

Governor Dauda Lawal has expressed profound excitement following the successful execution of the first-ever flight test-run at the Gusau International Airport. The historic event occurred on Sunday, March 22, 2026, when a Federal Government-operated aircraft touched down at exactly 4:30 p.m. This landing represents a pivotal moment for Zamfara State, which has lacked functional airport infrastructure for over thirty years. The Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, characterized the day as a landmark achievement that validates the administration's commitment to modernizing the state’s transportation network.

Technical Assessment and Regulatory Compliance for VIP Movements

The aircraft utilized for the test was a Bombardier Challenger 605, carrying the registration 5N-FGZ. This operation was specifically designed as a one-off technical assessment to evaluate the airport's readiness for scheduled VIP movements expected in the coming week. Officials confirmed that the test was conducted in strict accordance with Part 12.1.4.1(c) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs). By successfully meeting these federal safety standards, the airport has demonstrated its functional capability to handle high-profile air traffic under official regulatory frameworks.

Visual Flight Rules and NCAA Clearance Protocols

Prior to the landing, the Zamfara State Government secured a "No Technical Objection" (NTO) from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), granting legal permission for the aircraft to utilize the Gusau runway. The operation was managed under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), a protocol that restricts flight activity to the window between sunrise and sunset. This methodical approach to testing ensures that all landing systems and runway conditions meet the necessary safety benchmarks before the facility transitions to more complex all-weather operations.