Keyamo, Oborevwori Drive Osubi Aviation Revival

By PAULINA NZERUBE

Policy Impact & Public Confidence

ENVIRONMENTAL rights activist Zik Gbemre has lauded Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, SAN, and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for a surge in flight movements at the Osubi Airstrip, calling it a strategic rebound for the state’s aviation landscape. In a 26th December statement, Gbemre revealed that he witnessed the heightened activity on 23 December while boarding an outbound flight from Delta, noting that although delays occurred, no flight was cancelled, a stark contrast to previous years marked by routine cancellations that eroded passenger trust and airline commitment.

Gbemre disclosed that about 25 flights landed and departed within the waiting period, describing it as evidence of improved operational tempo and scheduling resilience. He further cited insider information indicating that over 10 airlines now fly in and out of Osubi, an achievement he said has not been recorded at this scale in recent times. Aviation analysts say the multi-airline influx suggests more than seasonal traffic—it signals renewed route planning, commercial viability, and airport utility, driven by policy assurances from the Ministry of Aviation and Delta’s state-level operational support.

Despite the commendations, Gbemre warned that passenger confidence must be backed by infrastructure longevity. He urged immediate runway extension and reinforcement, arguing that traffic volume without capacity expansion could strain safety margins, increase wear, and cap future growth. He stressed that the revival should not be seen as a temporary political win, but as a foundation for regional mobility, business travel, and economic integration. His remarks underscore a growing expectation from civil stakeholders that policy-driven airport revivals must now transition into long-term infrastructure strategy to retain airline confidence.