The Federal Government has announced the temporary closure of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State due to urgent runway repairs.
The decision comes shortly after Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s major airlines, suspended its flights to and from the airport citing serious safety concerns.
Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, Head of Corporate Communications at Air Peace, said in a statement that the condition of the runway had led to repeated flight disruptions and was no longer safe for operations.
“At Air Peace, safety comes first. The state of the Enugu runway has caused major disruptions, and we’ve made the decision to halt flights there temporarily,” the statement read. “We hope this pause will give the authorities time to carry out essential repairs.”
During the closure, all Air Peace flights to Enugu will now be rerouted to Asaba Airport.
In response, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the closure, saying that a sudden and serious rupture was discovered in a critical section of the runway’s asphalt surface.
Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said emergency repairs will begin on 22 April and are expected to last until 6 May 2025.
“In line with civil aviation regulations, the runway will remain closed to all landings and takeoffs during this period,” she said. “We apologise for the short notice and appeal for the public’s understanding.”
This is not the first time the Enugu airport has faced issues. It was previously closed for several months between 2019 and 2020 for major runway rehabilitation. Despite those efforts, recent reports suggest the runway had deteriorated again, with pilots experiencing hard landings due to surface damage.
FAAN assured passengers and stakeholders of its commitment to safety and modernization and pledged to complete the repairs as swiftly as possible.