ValueJet Launches Scheduled Flights from Ogun’s Gateway International, Boosting Regional Access

On October 7, Nigeria’s aviation landscape will welcome a new era as ValueJet inaugurates scheduled commercial operations from the recently approved Gateway International Airport (GWI) in Iperu, Ogun State. This historic launch establishes GWI as a dynamic new hub, poised to enhance both passenger and cargo connectivity for Ogun State and the broader southwestern region.

ValueJet’s initial service will feature twice-weekly flights to the nation’s capital, Abuja, operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Flights are scheduled to depart GWI at 8:30 a.m., with return legs arriving at 4:00 p.m.—a timetable designed to serve business travelers and commuters seeking direct, efficient alternatives to the congested Lagos and Ibadan airports. Ticket sales commenced on September 25, accessible via online platforms, retail locations, and at the airport itself, signaling growing anticipation within the travel community.

The strategic location of Gateway International Airport—situated near the Sagamu Interchange along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway—positions it as an attractive alternative for travelers from Ogun State as well as neighboring communities. Its proximity to key infrastructure, including a free zone and a burgeoning agro-industrial hub, further cements its future as a major centre for regional trade and cargo operations. Such positioning is set to not only relieve pressure on Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport but also unlock fresh opportunities for business, tourism, and logistics across the region.

Gateway International Airport is equipped to make an immediate impact on West Africa’s aviation sector. The facility boasts a 4,000-metre-long, 60-metre-wide runway—one of the longest and most advanced on the continent. This infrastructure can accommodate wide-body and ultra-long-haul aircraft, including the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350, positioning GWI to attract a mix of domestic and potentially international carriers seeking modern, high-capacity airport facilities.

The recent grant of an Aerodrome Operational Permit by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on August 15, 2025, has paved the way for the commencement of scheduled flights, affirming the airport’s readiness to meet rigorous safety and operational standards. This regulatory milestone reflects the growing momentum in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where strategic infrastructure investments are enabling new routes, greater airline competition, and improved service delivery for both travelers and shippers.

For ValueJet, this expansion marks another significant step in the airline’s growth trajectory. Managing Director Capt. Omololu Dapo Majekodunmi expressed enthusiasm about the new route, highlighting the carrier’s commitment to safe, reliable, and competitively priced services. Since its launch, ValueJet has steadily built a reputation for operational excellence, and the move into GWI aligns with its long-term vision to connect more Nigerian cities while supporting the nation’s economic diversification efforts.

For African travel professionals, the opening of GWI and the launch of ValueJet’s scheduled flights represent a compelling new selling point. Agencies and tour operators can now offer clients in Ogun State and surrounding areas direct access to Abuja without the need to navigate congested roadways to Lagos or Ibadan. This not only enhances traveler convenience but also shortens transfer times, reduces travel costs, and expands options for business, government, and leisure segments alike.

The airport’s readiness for cargo operations also stands to transform trade dynamics. With direct links to agro-industrial clusters and free trade zones, GWI is well placed to become a logistics gateway for agricultural exports and regional commerce. This development opens new business avenues for logistics providers and freight forwarders, reinforcing Ogun State’s emerging status as a commercial powerhouse in southwestern Nigeria.

Looking ahead, the success of ValueJet’s Abuja flights could catalyse the introduction of additional routes and attract other carriers interested in tapping into the region’s growing market. The infrastructure at GWI supports future expansion, including the potential for international services as demand grows and as Nigeria’s broader aviation sector continues to evolve. For the African travel trade, staying attuned to developments at GWI will be key to leveraging new business opportunities in passenger and cargo movement.

The launch of scheduled operations at Gateway International Airport is more than a milestone for Ogun State—it signals the rise of a new regional hub with the capacity to reshape travel and trade patterns across southwestern Nigeria and beyond. As ValueJet leads the way, the region’s stakeholders are set to benefit from increased connectivity, greater competition, and a renewed sense of possibility in the air transport sector.