By Gbenga Abulude
The Akanu-Ibiam International Airport in Enugu reopened on Sunday after being shut for more than a year for repairs.
The international airport, had been shut down since August last year.
The Federal Government approved N10 billion for its repairs which include: expansion of its runway and extension to accommodate larger aircraft.
The airport was also equipped with a new Category Two (CAT2) instrument landing system (ILS), airfield lighting, taxi lighting to aid flight operations.
Aviation minister, Mr Hadi Sirika had promised to reopen the airport by April to commemorate the Easter celebration but the completion of the project was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic as workers temporarily deserted the site.
However, the airport is wearing a new look as Aviation Minister on Saturday performed inaugural flight to the newly rehabilitated runway, to ascertain the quality of work done.
Also, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said the manager of the airport, had done the requisite floor marking and other COVID-19 protocols ahead of the return of commercial flights.
An Air Peace flight with registration number, 5N-BUV landed at the airport, past noon
Dignitaries that boarded the flight include the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC, Kogi West); Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, Director-General, Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, among others.
“We take this job very seriously. We know the importance of Enugu, not only being an international airport, we know that it is a centre for the South Eastern part of the country, all of the commercial activities, the trading activities and festivities are domiciled and centred around this city, a very important city for that matter,” says Sirika.
Prior to that, another Dornier Aircraft with registration number 5N-FCT brought another set of dignitaries.
