Passengers Stranded as Akure Airport Shut Down
The Akure Airport has been shut down following significant damage to its navigational equipment due to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms on Monday night in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
LEADERSHIP reports that the storm caused severe damage to equipment in the Airport Control Tower, rendering it impossible for flights to take off or land. As a result, passengers were stranded at the airport, with many expressing frustration after waiting for hours without any updates. Some passengers eventually left the airport, disheartened by the uncertainty.
In addition to the airport’s operational challenges, the heavy downpour caused destruction in nearby communities. Several buildings were damaged, and residents of areas such as Eleyewo, Ilu Abo, and Bolorunduro in the Akure North Local Government Area were left homeless.
Inside the airport, critical equipment including network time protocols, encoders, air conditioners, and computers were destroyed. According to a source within the airport, the storm also led to smashed windows and a collapsed ceiling in the control tower. Furthermore, seven buildings, including staff quarters, had their roofs ripped off by the storm.
Aviation sources confirmed that all commercial flights have been suspended until further notice, with airport authorities working on repairing the damaged equipment.
Attempts to reach the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for an official statement on the extent of the damage and the timeline for repairs were unsuccessful, as officials did not respond to inquiries.
