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The Federal Government says it may downgrade Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu from handling international operations because of its inability to expand the runway.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this at the 6th Aviation Stakeholders’ Forum in Lagos on Friday.

Sirika said there were some developments around the airport that posed security and safety threat to flight operations, adding that effort was on to address the challenges.

According to him, the state government decided to situate its free trade zone, market and radio mast too close to the runway, which is against international safety standard.

“We have some issues there and I have met the governor three times to discuss the issue.

“As you approach Enugu, there is a market there, there is an abattoir and at the end of the runway, there is a free trade zone and as you know, Enugu is the Kaduna of the East.

“A lot of passengers from the eastern part of the country travel through Enugu airport.”

The minister said that unless the market and the mast are removed, the government would have no option but to discontinue international flights to the airport.

(NAN)












The Punch newspaper