Seven days after the closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for repairs of its runway, the Federal Government said it will reopen the airport for flight operations, from Monday, 28 April 2025.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, on Saturday.
The Federal Government had in 2019, approved the sum of N10 billion for the extension and rehabilitation of the airport’s runway.
The contract for the rehabilitation and extension of the airport was awarded to PW Construction Company by the immediate past minister, Hadi Sirika.
Before then, another past Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, as part of the $500 million loan secured from China, had carried out remodeling exercises at the airport, including its runway. The airport was reopened in 2014.
Barely 24 hours after Air Peace suspended operations into the airport, FAAN had last week said that due to a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway, it would shut down the airport for emergency repairs.
The work was scheduled to begin on 22nd April and conclude before reopening.
The statement partly reads, ‘However, rehabilitation works on the runway have been completed, and the runway is cleared for landings and takeoffs by the engineers working with FAAN.
‘FAAN appreciates all airport users and stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation during this time. The Authority sincerely apologises for the inconvenience but assures the public that all actions were taken in the interest of safety’.
