Abuja Airport: FG extends repairs by 18 extra weeks

Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport AbujaIt appears the ongoing reconstruction of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja would require more time to come out good as the Federal Government has recently extended the timeline by another 18 weeks.A highly-placed official in the presidency, revealed this in a statement made available to State House correspondents on Sunday.The official, who pleaded anonymity, said the second phase of the upgrade work would be done at night, to avoid disruption of flight schedules.“After the Abuja Airport reopens for operations on April 19, upgrade works on the runway will continue for another 18 weeks. This second phase of upgrade works on the runway will be carried out at night, with no disruption to flight schedules,” the official said.Reports showed that over 43,000 passengers passed through the Kaduna Airport in its first 11 days of operation, as alternative to the Abuja Airport.Recall that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was temporarily closed from midnight on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, to enable the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), carry out major rehabilitation of the runway at the airport. It is expected to resume flight activities April 8, 2017.FAAN’s managing director, Saleh Dunoma, sought the understanding of airline operators, passengers, airport users and other stakeholders to bear with the FAAN, saying it would continue to upgrade facilities at the nation’s airports.He explained that this was in compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) annexes.