Aviation Shake-Up: Air Peace Cancels All Flights To Enugu Amid Rising Concerns

Air Peace has officially announced the suspension of all its flights to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State.

According to reports, the airline attributed its decision to the deteriorating state of the airport’s infrastructure, particularly the runway, which it described as a persistent safety hazard that has increasingly disrupted operations.

In a statement released on Saturday morning, Air Peace said the runway’s condition has become intolerable, prompting the suspension of flights to Enugu until further notice. The airline urged the relevant authorities to urgently address the infrastructural challenges at the airport.

“At Air Peace, safety always comes first, ahead of convenience. We believe suspending flights into this airport for the next few days will give the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) the opportunity to carry out critical repairs on the runway,” the statement read.

Air Peace further announced that all Enugu-bound flights will be temporarily rerouted to Asaba, Delta State.

“Please be advised that all scheduled flights to and from Enugu will now operate in and out of Asaba. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause,” the airline added.

The poor state of infrastructure at Nigerian airports has long been a concern for industry stakeholders. Many experts have linked numerous runway incidents in 2024 to aging and inadequate runway conditions.

In a January interview with TVC, the Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, also expressed alarm over the dilapidated state of airport infrastructure nationwide, noting that several runways had surpassed their expected lifespan. She revealed that the 2024 budget includes provisions for rehabilitating 17 runways, along with upgrades to other critical infrastructure, including perimeter roads and fencing.