Barely a week after the closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, for repairs of its runway, the Federal Government is set to reopen the airport for flight services, starting from Monday, April 28, 2025.
A statement by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said that the airport was re-opened following the completion of the emergency repairs.
FAAN had, last week, said that due to a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway, the runway would be shut down for emergency repairs.
The work was scheduled to begin on April 22 and conclude before reopening on May 6, 2025.
“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 assured the public that all actions were taken in the interest of safety,” the statement added.
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 Sen. Hadi Sirika, the erstwhile Minister of Aviation.
Before then, Princess Stella Oduah, another past Minister of Aviation, as part of the $500 million loan secured from China, had carried out remodelling exercises at the airport, including its runway.
The airport was reopened in 2014.
