One month after closure, FAAN yet to commence rehabilitation of Enugu Airport runway

The rehabilitation of the runway at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, is yet to begin one month after the airport was closed by the Federal Government.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, confirmed the development on Thursday in Lagos.

Recall that FAAN had on August 24 announced the closure of the airport, which is the only international airport in the Southeast region, for the reconstruction of the runway.

Yakubu said that the airport was closed due to safety concerns regarding its operations.

“Work is yet to begin on the runway, but it will soon, once the processes are concluded,” she said.

Following the closure of the airport, international flights run by Ethiopian Airlines have been diverted to Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers.

Similarly, domestic flights were diverted to Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, Port Harcourt Airport and the Asaba Airport in Delta.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, had in a meeting with Southeast governors assured that the Enugu airport would be reconstructed to meet the standard of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

Sirika also disclosed that the runway repairs and other renovation works would be completed by December.