also an abattoir around it. Activities in the two places attracted birds. There were also a number of buildings that should not be near an airport of international status.
Businessmen and other passengers who used the airport until its closure on August 24 are not smiling. Now, they have to operate through the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, Imo State. Only Ethiopian Airlines is approved to operate an international flight from the airport. Aside the presence of a market near the airport, which attracts birds and promotes bird-strikes, the minister also complained about the presence of a wrongly-placed radio mast, which interferes with flight communications, as well as the deplorable state of the runway.
The latest closure is the second time the airport is being closed for work. The first closure of the Enugu Airport in 2010 for the first phase of the expansion of the runway lasted between February 10 and December 16. “We are conscious and aware of the hardships that you might go through but I believe it is worth it in the interest of safety and the committee that has been formed will discuss the palliative and we will also discuss the arrangement, planning.”