FAAN Extends Owerri Airport Runway Closure to November 25 for Safety Checks
By CeeWhy News Desk, Lagos
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has extended the closure of the runway at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, to November 25, 2026, as rehabilitation work and mandatory safety checks continue.
The extension was communicated in a notice dated November 6 and signed by the airport manager, Dr Nkechi Al-Ihekwaba, according to a report by The Sun newspaper. The notice was addressed to the station manager of Enugu Air and copied to other airport stakeholders.
Why the reopening date changed
The runway had been expected to reopen around November 13. FAAN said more time was needed to complete outstanding construction work and verify that the upgraded facility meets aviation safety requirements before commercial operations resume.
The notice identified pavement works, runway markings and pavement curing among the remaining tasks. Technical teams must also undertake friction tests, runway surveys, quality assurance checks and inspections of associated airfield lighting and safety installations.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is expected to carry out regulatory inspections and establish compliance with applicable standards before the runway is returned to service. The November 25 date is therefore a revised closure period, not an unconditional guarantee that flights will resume that day.
Runway extension requires updated aerodrome information
The project includes an increase in the runway’s length from 2,700 metres to 3,200 metres. A change of that scale requires verification of physical runway characteristics and updates to the aerodrome information used by pilots, airlines and air traffic service providers.
FAAN said the works were progressing satisfactorily but that the additional period would allow contractors and inspectors to finish the technical processes properly.
What passengers and airlines should do
Travellers with plans involving Owerri should contact their airlines directly to confirm flight arrangements and any alternative airport or itinerary offered during the closure. A scheduled reopening date should not be treated as confirmation that a particular flight will operate.
The airport serves Imo State and travellers to surrounding communities. Its prolonged runway closure has implications for journey planning, airline scheduling and local travel connections, particularly as year-end travel demand approaches.
FAAN and the NCAA are expected to communicate further operational information once inspections and the required approvals are complete.
Source: The Sun, November 7, 2026, reporting a FAAN airport-manager notice dated November 6: https://thesun.ng/faan-extends-owerri-airport-runway-closure-to-november-25/.