Flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, were suspended on Friday, February 6, 2026, following an industrial action by aviation workers protesting the Federal Government’s concessioning of the facility.
The shutdown has left hundreds of passengers stranded and disrupted regional travel.
The protest, which began in the early hours of the morning, saw aviation unions—including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN)—block access to the terminal.
Protesting workers forced passengers and airline personnel out of the building, while all scheduled arrivals and departures were placed on hold.
The disruption follows the formal signing of a 30-year concession agreement for the airport with Aero Alliance Limited in late January 2026.
Unions have labeled the process “opaque” and “insensitive,” arguing that workers were sidelined and that no clear guarantees were provided regarding the job security of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) staff after the private firm takes over.
Confirming the disruption, Enugu Air, which uses the airport as its primary hub, issued a travel advisory on its official X handle.
“All originating flights from Enugu are currently experiencing delays due to an ongoing airport staff protest. Our team is contacting affected passengers directly,” the airline stated.
In a separate advisory, the airline noted that terminal access remains restricted and urged travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Videos circulating on social media show frustrated passengers milling around the premises, many criticizing the lack of timely communication from airport authorities.
As of the time of this report, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has not issued a fresh statement on the shutdown, though he previously assured workers that the concession would not lead to job losses.
FAAN has also yet to indicate when normal operations will resume.
Affected passengers have called on the Federal Government to urgently resolve the dispute with the unions to restore services at the Southeast’s major international gateway.
