The Federal Government has officially reopened the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, today, Monday, April 28, 2025, following the early completion of emergency repairs on its runway.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had announced the airport’s temporary closure on April 18, 2025, after engineers discovered a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway. Initially, repair works were scheduled to last until May 6, but swift action by FAAN engineers accelerated the timeline.
Speaking to journalists, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, confirmed that the runway is now cleared for landings and takeoffs. She thanked stakeholders and airport users for their patience and understanding during the disruption, emphasizing that all measures were taken in the interest of passenger safety.
Similarly, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, celebrated the early completion in a statement, noting that the federal government worked extra hard to meet and surpass the original repair deadline.
“Dear compatriots, we worked extra hard to meet the deadline we gave on the repair of the runway of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu and finished way ahead of the scheduled date. It will now be open for use as from today, April 28, 2025,” Keyamo posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The shutdown had temporarily disrupted travel access to Nigeria’s southeast region, a major hub for commerce and tourism. Neighboring airports absorbed redirected flights, causing added inconvenience for travelers.
FAAN assured the public that the expedited rehabilitation adhered strictly to Nigerian Civil Aviation regulations and safety protocols. The reopening is expected to ease travel burdens and restore full regional air connectivity.
“All actions were taken in the interest of safety,” FAAN reiterated in its statement, while apologizing for any inconvenience caused during the closure.
