Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria declared it temporarily shut down Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, Oyo State in order to accommodate wide-range upgrade works for upgrading infrastructure and operating levels.
FAAN, in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, Sunday, said the Federal Government had approved the shutdown, which had become unavoidable to enable the implementation of meaningful upgrades at the airport.
The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency has therefore closed the runway and suspended airport operations as provided in International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations.
The upgrade was part of the state government’s move to redevelop the aerodrome to an international level.
The airport operators stated that the shutdown was in line with aviation safety recommendations, appealing for stakeholders’ and passengers’ cooperation during the shutdown.
The notice partly read, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the temporary closure of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA), Ibadan, due to ongoing upgrade works.”.
“As part of the Oyo State Government’s initiative to upgrade Ibadan Airport from a domestic to an international airport, various improvements and remodelling works are currently underway.
“In compliance with aviation safety recommended standards and processes, the closure became imperative to ensure the safety of passengers as well as airport personnel.”
