FAAN to Close Owerri Airport Runway for 25 Days for Repairs, Expansion
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced a temporary 25-day closure of the runway at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, to allow for essential repairs, resurfacing and expansion.
The plan was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026, by Henry Agbebire, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, and shared through the authority’s official X account. The closure is tentatively scheduled to begin on October 20, 2026, and last about 25 days, subject to final confirmation.
FAAN said the intervention was prompted by deteriorating runway conditions, including potholes and extensive surface cracking, which have been worsened by recent heavy rainfall. The authority noted that the damage raised concerns about operational safety.
The rehabilitation will involve repairing damaged pavement, treating cracks and resurfacing affected sections ahead of the anticipated increase in passenger and flight traffic during the Christmas season.
“The planned intervention has become necessary due to the deterioration of sections of the runway, including potholes and extensive surface cracking, which have been further aggravated by recent heavy rainfall,” FAAN stated.
The project will also extend the runway to enable the airport to accommodate wide-body aircraft as traffic to the region grows. FAAN said the expansion is aimed at improving passenger comfort and facilitating a smoother travel experience.
Passengers planning to travel through Owerri during the closure have been advised to contact their airlines for updates on flight schedules and alternative arrangements. FAAN added that confirmed closure and reopening dates would be communicated after further consultations with relevant stakeholders.
The Owerri project follows similar maintenance and upgrade programmes at other major Nigerian airports. In April 2025, FAAN temporarily closed Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, after detecting significant damage to a critical section of its runway. In June 2025, the authority announced a phased renovation of Terminal One at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Unlike the Enugu runway repairs and the proposed Owerri intervention, the Lagos project was designed to modernise ageing terminal infrastructure while minimising disruption to passenger operations.
The Owerri intervention is expected to improve the airport’s capacity to handle larger aircraft as passenger and flight traffic to southeastern Nigeria continues to rise.
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