Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has shut down Benin Airport to enable rehabilitation work on the airport’s runway. According to a statement issued by the agency, flight operations at the airport will be shut from Saturday, June 20 till Friday, July 10. 

FAAN stated that the Asaba Airport and the Osubi Airstrip in Warri, Delta State, could serve as alternatives to the Benin airport within the closure period.

The statement  issued in Lagos by Mr Onyekwere Nnaekpe, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Affairs on behalf of Mr Yakubu Dati, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, also added that the rehabilitation work is to ensure that airport runways and other ancillary facilities do not fall below standards recommended by the International Civil Aviation.

It said that that a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) had already been issued to all operators of scheduled and non-scheduled flights to the airport.

"The runway rehabilitation work is part of a routine maintenance programme designed by the authority to ensure that airport runways and other ancillary facilities do not fall below standards recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

"We regret any inconvenience the closure of the Benin Airport for this period will cause airline operators, airline passengers and other users of the airport," it said.