The Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu is set to experience a beehive of activities following the announcement by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the weekend that flight operations will resume at the aerodrome following the completion of emergency repair works on its runway.
The country’s airports management body had on April 18th disclosed its closure due to what it described as a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway, hence it shut down for emergency repairs.
The development had forced domestic carriers into the country’s former eastern region capital to ferry their passengers into alternate airports in Asaba and Owerri.
Blueprint correspondents gathered that the two prominent airlines operating into the Enugu airport, Air Peace and United Nigeria Airline are bracing up to return to the airport.
Whilst work on the damaged section of the runway was scheduled to begin on April 22nd and conclude before reopening on May 6th, however, FAAN, in an electronic document said “rehabilitation works on the runway have been completed, and the runway is cleared for landings and takeoffs by the engineers working with FAAN.”
“FAAN appreciates all airport users and stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation during this time. The Authority sincerely apologises for the inconvenience but assures the public that all actions were taken in the interest of safety.” The document said.