The Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria says the ongoing runway expansion project, which is nearing completion, will offer the much-needed solution for airlines seeking options beyond the Kaduna Airport.
Dr Danjuma Ismail, Rector, NCAT told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria that the institution may soon be able to offer its services to accommodate more air traffic for bigger commercial aircraft.
The rector said the college had discovered that there were opportunities to attract much commercial traffic.
“Right now, Kaduna Airport is having difficulty handling traffic in the afternoon and evening due to some security challenges around the area.
“Some airlines are looking for options and NCAT can offer such services when the runway expansion was fully completed,’’ he said.
Ismail said the first phase of the contract awarded for the expansion of the runway about five years ago was ongoing and it would be completed by the end of this year.
He added that the college would subsequently commence the procurement process for the second phase of the project.
The rector explained that the college was still at the preliminary stage on the second phase of the project, decrying, “because some people are claiming parts of the area earmarked for the construction of the runway belongs to them
“The claim is still subject to litigation,’’ Ismail said.
NAN recalls that the runway is 1.6 kilometres, which was originally designed for the types of aircraft used for training exercise and other smaller aircraft.
Similarly, the rector said the college was working to convert the acquired Zaria Hotel into a a four-star hotel for accommodating students and other members of the public.
He explained: ” Some students who might find the college’s hostel not convenient. Some of these students are international pilots who have thousands of flying hours.
“They are already rich guys; you will not expect them to find our conventional hostel convenient, hence the need for a befitting accommodation for them.”
NAN also recalls that the hotel was purchased at the cost of N1.313 billion from the Africa Continental Hotel, managers of the facility sometime in June 2023.
However, the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, said the hotel was to be converted into classrooms and hostels for NCAT.
He said then, “This acquisition is intended to expand NCAT’s capacity and enhance its training facilities.
“The conversion will provide additional learning and accommodation options for students.”
