ENUGU, Apr. 20 (AGCNewsNet) – The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the temporary closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to enable urgent repair works on a damaged portion of the runway.

Obiageli Orah, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, disclosed the development in a statement issued Saturday, citing a “sudden and significant rupture” in the runway’s asphalt surface. The repairs are scheduled to run from April 22 to May 6, 2025.

“In compliance with Nigerian civil aviation regulations, the runway will remain closed throughout the repair period,” Orah said. “This closure is necessary to ensure passenger safety and facilitate the ongoing upgrade of airport facilities.”

The shutdown has already disrupted flight operations. On Saturday morning, several scheduled flights were grounded, while some airlines, including Air Peace, announced suspension of flights into Enugu due to safety concerns.

“We prioritise safety first over convenience,” Air Peace said in a statement. “Suspending operations into Enugu will allow FAAN to carry out the necessary repairs. All flights originally scheduled for Enugu will now operate from Asaba Airport in Delta State.”

FAAN apologised for the sudden notice and appealed to travellers for patience and understanding during the period. All affected flights are expected to be rerouted to nearby airports.

This latest closure comes amid repeated concerns over deteriorating infrastructure at several Nigerian airports and the federal government’s ongoing efforts to modernise aviation facilities nationwide.

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