The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, to carry out urgent repairs on the airport’s runway.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the shutdown, citing serious safety concerns for aircraft operations. The closure follows a decision by Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s major airlines, to suspend all flights to the airport due to the deteriorating condition of the runway.
In a statement, Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, Head of Corporate Communications at Air Peace, said the poor state of the runway had been causing constant disruptions to flight schedules. “Safety is our top priority, and we regret to announce the temporary suspension of flights to Enugu until the runway is deemed safe again,” he said.
To continue serving its customers, the airline said affected flights will now operate through Asaba Airport.
FAAN, in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, said the closure was necessary after a significant rupture was discovered in a key section of the runway. Emergency repairs are scheduled to take place from April 22 to May 6, 2025.
“In line with aviation safety regulations, the runway will be completely closed to all flight operations during this period,” the statement read. FAAN apologized for the short notice and appealed to travelers and stakeholders for their understanding.
All flights previously scheduled for Enugu will be rerouted to nearby airports until the repairs are completed.
This is the second major closure of the Enugu airport in recent years. In 2019, it was shut down for over a year and reopened in September 2020 after major renovations. However, recent complaints from pilots about hard landings suggest the runway has again fallen into disrepair.