Flight operations have resumed at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, after aviation workers temporarily shut down the facility over the Federal Government’s plan to concession the airport.
The disruption occurred on Friday when a coalition of aviation workers reportedly closed the terminal to protest the concession decision approved by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The shutdown led to restricted access to the airport, grounding several flights and leaving many passengers stranded.
Sources said the protest was triggered by concerns from aviation unions over what they described as inadequate consultation with key stakeholders before the concession agreement was signed.
Earlier in January, Keyamo approved the concession of the Enugu airport, a move that immediately drew opposition from major aviation 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.
In a joint letter to the minister, signed by their general secretaries, Frances Akinjole, Sikiru Waheed and Abdul Rasaq Saidu, the unions described the concession process as insensitive, opaque and exclusionary. They also warned that industrial action could follow if their concerns were ignored.
Barely nine days after issuing the warning, the unions reportedly enforced the shutdown, halting airport operations, restricting passenger and vehicle movement and disrupting scheduled flights.
However, Enugu Air later confirmed that normal activities had resumed at the airport.
In an advisory issued via its official X account on Friday, the airline said flight operations had been restored, although some delays were still expected due to the earlier disruption.
The airline advised passengers to check their flight schedules and notifications before heading to the airport, apologising for the inconvenience caused by the protest.
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