The Federal Government has announced the immediate shutdown of operations at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, citing urgent safety concerns related to the deteriorating state of the runway. The decision comes just hours after leading domestic carrier, Air Peace, suspended its scheduled flights to the airport over similar safety fears.
Confirming the development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) disclosed that the closure will allow for emergency rehabilitation works to address critical damage observed on the runway. According to FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, a sudden and significant rupture was detected on the asphalt surface at a crucial portion of the runway, prompting the immediate need for repairs.
Orah stated that the repairs will be carried out from April 22 to May 6, 2025, during which time the airport’s runway will remain closed to all landings and takeoffs. She further explained that the decision is in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, aimed at ensuring safety and maintaining standards across all federal aviation facilities.
“As part of FAAN’s unwavering commitment to passenger safety and ongoing efforts to modernize airport infrastructure, the runway at Akanu Ibiam International Airport will undergo emergency rehabilitation. We regret any inconveniences this closure may cause, but safety must always take precedence,” Orah said in the statement.
She also extended an apology on behalf of FAAN for the short notice and urged airport users and stakeholders to remain understanding and cooperative during the period of the closure. Flights previously scheduled to Enugu will now be redirected to alternative nearby airports until the runway is deemed fit for operations.
Meanwhile, Air Peace, in a separate statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, had earlier confirmed its withdrawal from the Enugu route due to ongoing disruptions caused by the unsafe condition of the runway. The airline emphasized that its decision was made in the interest of passenger safety, revealing that the condition of the runway had led to multiple flight irregularities in recent weeks.
“We regret to inform our esteemed passengers that all Air Peace flights scheduled to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, have been temporarily suspended due to safety concerns. The state of the runway has continued to pose serious challenges to our operations, resulting in major disruptions,” the airline said.
Ndiulo noted that all affected flights would now be redirected to Asaba Airport, urging passengers to bear with the airline during this period. “At Air Peace, safety comes before convenience. We believe suspending operations at this airport for a few days will give FAAN the necessary window to carry out vital repairs. We deeply regret any inconvenience this change might cause,” he added.
It will be recalled that the same Enugu airport was shut down for nearly a year between 2019 and 2020 to allow for a comprehensive rehabilitation of its runway. However, recent observations suggest that the once-rehabilitated surface has once again fallen into a state of disrepair, with pilots reportedly encountering rough landings—an issue that raised renewed concerns about safety.
The latest closure underscores persistent infrastructure challenges within Nigeria’s aviation sector, with industry experts calling for more sustainable and routine maintenance strategies to prevent recurring shutdowns.
