Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has hinted of government plan to downgrade Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu from handling international operations because of its inability to expand the runway.
The Minister stated said there were some developments around the airport that posed security and safety threat to flight operations, adding that effort was on to address the challenges.
According to him, the state government decided to situate its free trade zone, market and radio mast too close to the runway which is against international safety standards.
“We have some issues there and I have met the governor three times to discuss the issue. As you approach Enugu, there is a market there, there is an abattoir and at the end of the runway, there is a free trade zone and as you know, Enugu is the Kaduna of the east. A lot of passengers from the eastern part of the country travel through Enugu airport.”
He noted that unless the market and the mast were removed, the government would have no option but to discontinue international flights into the airport.