By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The federal goveenment has announced that the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, will be temporarily closed for approximately 25 days from October 20, 2026, to allow for runway rehabilitation, resurfacing and extension ahead of the Christmas travel season.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement released on his X handle on Friday, explaining that the intervention was necessary to improve aviation safety, operational efficiency and the airport’s capacity to accommodate larger aircraft.
Keyamo said the decision followed consultations with Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, and other critical stakeholders in the state and the South-East, who agreed on the need to temporarily shut the runway to facilitate the essential works.
According to the minister, the project is a joint initiative of the Federal Government and the Imo State Government, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) representing the Federal Government in the collaboration.
He said the rehabilitation would address deteriorated sections of the runway pavement, extensive surface cracks and potholes, alongside resurfacing of affected areas and the planned runway extension.
When completed, the minister said, the project was expected to restore the runway to a safer and more reliable operational condition while increasing its capacity to accommodate larger aircraft, including wide-body aircraft, subject to applicable operational and regulatory requirements.
Keyamo described the intervention as particularly important ahead of the Christmas travel season, when passenger traffic and flight movements to Owerri and other parts of the South-East traditionally increase.
He stressed that the temporary closure was in the best interest of aviation safety and the airport’s long-term operational efficiency, given its importance as a gateway for the people, businesses and economic activities of the region.
The minister acknowledged the contribution of the Imo State Government to the runway extension project, describing the collaboration as evidence of what could be achieved when different levels of government work together in the public interest.
He said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to improving aviation infrastructure and ensuring that the airport could meet the growing demands of air travel in the region.
While acknowledging that the closure would cause some inconvenience to passengers and other airport users, Keyamo appealed for their understanding and cooperation, insisting that aviation safety could not be compromised.
He assured travellers that the Federal Government would continue to engage the Imo State Government, airlines and other relevant stakeholders to coordinate the exercise and minimise disruptions.
Precise Post recalls that passengers scheduled to travel through the airport during the closure period were advised to contact their respective airlines for information on flight cancellations, rescheduling and alternative travel arrangements.
Keyamo added that the confirmed closure and reopening dates would be communicated through appropriate official channels.
He thanked Governor Uzodimma, the Imo State Government, airlines, aviation stakeholders and the travelling public for their cooperation, expressing confidence that the project would strengthen air connectivity and support economic development across the South-East.
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to providing safer, more efficient and modern aviation infrastructure across the country, describing the Owerri runway rehabilitation and extension project as another step towards achieving that objective.
