The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, has resumed operations after six weeks of repairs on its runway.
The airport was reopened on Tuesday by Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who commended Nigerians and air travellers for their support during the six weeks closure of the airport.
According to him, April 19 is the due date “for us to conclude and open the airport based on our programme of work; we are able to deliver the project earlier than anticipated, so we can open it”.
“Runway friction test, the final activity, concluded. Just landed on the runway, everything is perfect. We beat the deadline. We thank you. Abuja runway 100% completed and certified by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Consequently the airport is open for operations,” the minister also tweeted.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Airlines’ flight is the first to land at the airport on Tuesday with its Airbus A350-900 aircraft at 12:10 pm.
The airport was shut for six weeks to enable Julius Berger repair its failed runway while Abuja-bound air traffic was diverted to Kaduna during the period.
President Muhammadu Buhari has also commended the efforts of the Ministries of Transport, Power, Works and Housing, the security agencies, Kaduna State Government, the contractor, Julius Berger, and others, on the successful completion of work on the runway and re-opening of the Airport.
The President, according to a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said he looked forward to such display of inter-agency cooperation and efficiency in the operation of the entire Federal Government machinery.
President Buhari also thanked Ethiopian Airlines for cooperating with the Nigerian Government during the period of the closure of Abuja airport, describing it as a good example of intra-African cooperation.
