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Saudi Arabian Aircraft: Abuja Airport Re-opened

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport which was earlier shut down as a result of a Saudi Arabian aircraft which veered off the runway of the … Continue reading Saudi Arabian Aircraft: Abuja Airport Re-opened


The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport which was earlier shut down as a result of a Saudi Arabian aircraft which veered off the runway of the Airport has been re-opened.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mr Nnamdi Udoh who confirmed the re-opening of the Airport in an interview with journalists said it was a minor incident which is being investigated by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

Mister Udoh, who assured air travellers of their safety, also confirmed that no member of the six-man crew of the aircraft suffered any injury as a result of the accident.

The Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Aviation, Mr Joe Obi had in a statement earlier made available to Channels Television,  confirmed that flights into Abuja have been temporarily suspended to facilitate evacuation efforts to clear the runway.

This, according to Obi, is due to a Saudi Arabian B747 cargo aircraft which veered off after landing in Abuja last night at  the maneuvering area of the runway and ran into a maintenance area and stopped.

The statement adds that it must be noted that the incident is not a plane crash as the Federal Ministry of Aviation regrets all inconveniences this incident must have caused air travelers and airport users.

The statement further adds that concerted effort is being intensified to remove the obstacle and restore normalcy while the public will be updated as progress is made towards restoring normal operations at the airport.

Another statement by the Group Corporate Communications Manager of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Mr Yakubu Datti, said no casualty was recorded while plans are underway to move the air craft  away following a preliminary assessment visit by AIPB, NCAA, FAAN and other relevant agencies.