Flight activities have resumed at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, after aviation workers temporarily shut down operations on Friday in protest against the Federal Government’s plan to concession the facility.
The protest, led by aviation unions, followed concerns that the concession process initiated by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was carried out without adequate consultation with key stakeholders.
The action restricted access to the airport and disrupted several scheduled flights, leaving passengers stranded.
Earlier reports indicated that the minister signed a concession agreement in mid-January, a move that drew strong opposition from unions, including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals.
The unions had described the process as opaque and exclusionary, warning that industrial action could follow if their concerns were ignored.
Days later, workers reportedly halted activities at the airport, grounding flights and preventing passengers and vehicles from entering the terminal.
In an update to travellers on Friday, Enugu Air confirmed that normal operations had been restored, although some flights were affected by the disruption.
The airline advised passengers to verify their schedules due to possible rescheduling.
“We would like to inform you that normalcy has been restored at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. However, our morning flights were impacted by the protest, and passengers may experience changes to their schedules,” the airline said, apologising for the inconvenience.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for official comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
