The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has broken its silence regarding the closure of Akure Airport, four days after a heavy rainstorm caused significant damage to airport infrastructure.
What Led to the Shutdown?
According to reports, a torrential downpour on Monday, March 3, 2025, wreaked havoc on key facilities at the airport, including:
- The terminal building
- Control tower
- Staff quarters
- Critical flight operation equipment, such as encoders, network time protocol systems, air conditioners, and computers
Passengers Left in the Dark
Many passengers who had booked flights to Akure were stranded and forced to seek alternative travel arrangements. Airlines, including Overland Airways, canceled flights, citing technical challenges at the airport.
One passenger, Adetutu Muriano, lamented how the last-minute flight cancellation forced her to travel overnight by bus to meet an important exam. Another passenger, Babatunde Akinteye, received a message from Overland Airways stating that the airport would remain closed for three months due to “technical issues.”
FAAN’s Late Response
FAAN finally addressed the situation on Thursday, acknowledging the damage caused by the storm and assuring the public that:
- A team of engineers has been deployed to assess the damage.
- Efforts are ongoing to restore flight operations as soon as possible.
- They regret the inconvenience caused by the unexpected closure.
Public Backlash Over Poor Communication
The lack of timely communication from FAAN has drawn criticism from passengers and industry stakeholders, with many questioning why the closure was not immediately announced.
As travelers await further updates, the spotlight remains on FAAN to expedite repairs and improve communication in future emergencies.