However, a concession was given to Ethiopian Airline flight to land on Saturday because it was a pre-scheduled international flight before the decision to shut the airport.
The airline had argued that the cost of conveying passengers from Port-Harcourt International airport to Enugu by road and providing accommodation for them would be too heavy on the airline, and therefore should be allowed to drop the passengers at Enugu since the flight was scheduled before announcement to shut down the airport.
FAAN had on Saturday August 17 announced it’s intention to close down the runway of Akanu Ibiam International Airport on Saturday, August 24, to effect maintenance that will enhance safety operations.
Henrietta Yakubu, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, dropped the hint in a press statement in Lagos.
“This move is aimed at resolving the existing Safety/Security concerns to flight operations,” she said.
She stressed that the date of the re opening will be communicated in due course.
Despite a passionate letter written to President Muhammad Bihari by governors of South East states to weight in and pressure FAAN to postpone the shutdown pending when alternative arrangements were made, the Federal Government went ahead with the shutdown.
