Federal Government of Nigeria has temporarily closed the runway of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, for emergency repairs.
Gatekeepers News reports that there was a significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway that requires emergency repairs.
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, noted that the repairs would be conducted on that portion of the runway from April 22nd to May 6th, 2025.
FAAN further noted that all flights to this airport would be diverted to nearby airports.
The statement reads, “There is a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway. Hence, emergency repairs will be conducted on that portion of the runway from April 22nd to May 6th, 2025.”
“In compliance with Nigerian Civil Aviation regulations, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has, therefore, closed the runway during this period.”
“As part of FAAN’s commitment to passenger safety and the modernisation of airport facilities, the runway will not be open for landings or takeoffs during the rehabilitation period.”
“FAAN appeals to all airport users and stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation during this time. All flights to this airport will be diverted to nearby airports.”
The agency apologised for the late and unexpected notice regarding the closure.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has also apologised and given more reasons for the closure.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the development in a post on his official X account.
Keyamo explained that the decision was necessary due to recurring damage to the runway, which posed significant safety risks.
He wrote, “Dear compatriots, we have been compelled to take this decision to close the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for two weeks starting from April 22nd, 2025, in order to carry out major repair works on it.”
“We sincerely apologise to Nigerians over this development as the airport is our major international gateway in the Southeastern part of Nigeria.”
“It will be recalled that this same development led to the closure of the runway in August 2019 for one whole year and the contract for the total rehabilitation was awarded to a contractor.”
“Unfortunately, when we came to the office, we discovered that a waterlogged part of the runway was not properly constructed to take care of the problem, leading to constant cracks and potholes on the runway.”
“These obviously put the lives of the travelling public at great risk. We have been carrying out constant palliative works on it, but the problem has not abated, and the cracks on the runway are becoming craters. I personally visited the airport some months after assuming office and expressed my total displeasure with the work done by the contractor.
Flight operations to Enugu have also been suspended due to the runway closure, with all scheduled flights redirected to nearby airports.
Keyamo added, “In the meantime, scheduled flight operations to Enugu will be diverted to other neighbouring airports. We are going to work tirelessly to meet the timeline to mitigate the inconvenience this closure will cause the travelling public.”
Subsequently, United Nigeria Airlines, in a statement, announced that starting Saturday, 19th April, all its flights to and from Enugu are suspended.
It rescheduled the flight for Saturday, 19th April, to operate to and from Chinua Achebe Airport, Anambra, for passengers willing to travel through the alternative route.
