From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
Three weeks after the re-opening of Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, expectations that international flights will commence at the airport have not been met.
Amidst the fact that the expanded runway to enhance flight landings by cargo carrying planes was completed and several surrounding structures destroyed to pave way for safe landings, no reason have been adduced for the delay in allowing international flights into the airport.
The airport was officially reopened and celebrated on Sunday August 30, by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the South East governors, other political class and business gurus from the South East zone including business mogul, Prince Arthur Eze.
The AUTHORITY investigation revealed that not even the Ethiopian airlines which was the only airline operating international flights from the airport before its closure have resumed operations.
The Ethiopian airline office within Akanu Ibiam international airport was found under lock and key, when The AUTHORITY visited the airport.
It was gathered even though the construction of the terminal at international wing is still on-going, the Ethiopian airline had always used the terminal at the domestic wing of the airport successfully in its previous operations before the closure on April 30, 2019.
In a brief chat with The AUTHORITY, FAAN Corporate Affairs Director in charge of the airport, Mrs Josephine Aijawara, said it is only the Minister of Aviation than can say when international flights would resume at the airport.
She suggested that probably the Ethiopian airline was taking it’s time to arrange its priority ahead of its reopening.
On resumption of domestic flights, Mrs Aijawara disclosed that only two airlines, Ibom Air and Air Peace have commenced operations at the airport.
