Enugu’s Akanu Ibiam Airport to Reopen Monday Following Emergency Runway Fixes

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced that Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu will reopen for flight operations on Monday, April 28, 2025. This follows a week-long closure to conduct emergency repairs on a critical section of the runway that had developed a significant rupture.

Mrs. Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed in a Saturday statement that the rehabilitation works have been successfully completed. “The runway is cleared for landings and takeoffs by the engineers working with FAAN,” she stated.

The emergency repairs started on April 22 and were initially expected to conclude by May 6. However, the expedited completion means the airport will resume operations earlier than planned. FAAN expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their cooperation and apologized for the inconvenience caused, assuring the public that safety was the top priority.

The airport had previously undergone runway extension and rehabilitation funded by a N10 billion Federal Government allocation in 2019, with PW Construction Company awarded the contract under former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika. Remodeling works had also been carried out under former Minister Princess Stella Oduah, financed by a $500 million loan from China, culminating in the airport’s reopening in 2014.

The temporary closure disrupted airline schedules, with Air Peace suspending flights to the airport. The reopening is expected to restore normal flight operations and passenger convenience.