Keyamo Says Enugu Airport Shut For Two Weeks To Rapiar Runway

THE Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has explained that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu State, was shut for two weeks, as announced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Saturday, April 19, to facilitate the repair of the runway.
Recall that the same runway was shut in August 2019 for one year and a contract for total rehabilitation awarded.
The minister, while confirming that the closure takes effect from April 22, and scheduled flight operations to Enugu would be diverted to other neighbouring airports during the period, said: “We have been compelled to take this decision to close the runway of the airport for two weeks 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.
“I personally visited the airport some months after assuming office and expressed my total displeasure with the work done by the contractor.
“Unfortunately, when we came to office, we discovered that 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.”
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 in order to mitigate the inconvenience this closure will cause the travelling public.”
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of FAAN, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, had in a statement announcing the closure, explained that there was a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway.
She said that as a result, the emergency repairs would be conducted on the portion of the runway from April 22 to May 6, adding: “In compliance with the Nigerian civil aviation regulations, FAAN has, therefore, closed the runway during this period.
“As part of FAAN’s commitment to passenger safety and 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 authority apologises for the late and unexpected notice regarding the closure.”
Domestic airlines, such as Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines, have suspended flight operations to the airport due to the poor state of the runway.
Public Relations Officer of the United Nigeria Airlines, Chibuike Uloka, in a statement on saturday, apologised for the disruption the development might have on passengers’ travel plans this Easter.
He stated: “As a result, we have rescheduled your flights for today, April 19, to operate to and from the Chinua Achebe Airport, Anambra, should this be convenient for you.
“Passengers willing to travel through Anambra Airport are kindly advised to be at the airport at the scheduled flight time.”
On its part, Air Peace’s Head of Corporate Communications, Ejike Ndiulo, hoped the suspension of flight operations into and from the airport would afford FAAN the needed opportunity to effectively fix the runway.
He said: “We regret to inform you that all flights scheduled to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, are temporarily suspended due to safety concerns.
“The situation of the Enugu runway has been causing major disruptions to Air Peace flights; hence the decision to temporarily suspend further flights into this airport until further notice.”