Akanu Ibiam International Airport re-opens Sunday for flights – Minister

By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Aug. 29, 2020

The Minister of Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika says the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu will be officially re-opened on Sunday, August 30, 2020 for resumption of flights.

Sirika said this on Saturday in Enugu after the final round of inspection of rehabilitation works in the airport prior to the official reopening of the complex.
The Federal Government had in August 2019 shut down the Airport over security reasons.

Some of the reasons include its bad runway and landing aids, and the presence of a market close to the airport attracting birds, leading to constant bird strikes.
Others also included the wrong placement of the state radio station mast directly facing the runways.

However, the minister, who landed at the airport on Saturday evening with a private jet, No.5N-PAZ said that he was delighted to have been in the flight that landed in the airport.

He said he had arrived ahead of the Aug. 30, official reopening of the airport to inspect the readiness of the facility for flight resumption.

“We are ready for the official reopening of this airport tomorrow (Sunday) and I am happy that we have been able to achieve this as scheduled,” Sirika said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the runway and other ancillary works, including the lighting system are ready but work is still ongoing in the reception, perimeter fence, drainages and the main gate.