The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the temporary closure of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to facilitate urgent runway maintenance.
In a statement released on Saturday, FAAN explained that a sudden and significant rupture had developed in the asphalt surface of a critical section of the runway, necessitating immediate repairs.
The runway will be closed from April 22 to May 6, 2025, during which emergency rehabilitation work will be carried out. “In line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations and in our ongoing commitment to passenger safety and infrastructure improvement, the runway will remain closed to all landings and takeoffs during this period,” FAAN stated.
The authority has apologized for the short notice and appealed to stakeholders and the public for their understanding and cooperation. All flights scheduled for Enugu will be diverted to nearby airports during the maintenance period.
In response to the closure, Air Peace has suspended all flights to and from Enugu, citing the deteriorating state of the airport’s infrastructure, which it says has raised growing safety concerns and caused repeated disruptions to operations. “The condition of the runway has become unmanageable, and for the safety of our passengers and crew, we have suspended flights to Enugu until further notice,” the airline said in a statement issued Saturday morning.
Air Peace added that all affected flights will now operate from Asaba, Delta State, and advised passengers to adjust their travel plans accordingly. “We regret any inconvenience caused by this development, but safety remains our highest priority,” the statement read.
Similarly, Ibom Air has announced a temporary suspension of its Enugu operations within the affected period. “Our Customer Contact Centre will reach out to all passengers booked on affected flights. In the meantime, travelers may explore alternative options via our Lagos (LOS), Abuja (ABV), or Enugu (ENU) airport desks,” the airline noted.
Ibom Air expressed regret over the disruption and thanked passengers for their understanding and patience, affirming that the safety of its passengers remains its top priority. Both airlines look forward to resuming full operations once the runway maintenance is completed.
