Flight operations at the Abuja airport, (Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport), were briefly suspended on Thursday following an incident where a private jet experienced a tyre burst on landing, causing a temporary shutdown of the runway.
However, authorities have since verified that the aircraft was cleared, and regular operations have started up again.
According to information obtained from sources, the incident happened on Thursday at around 2:00 p.m., resulting in a short runway shutdown of the Abuja airport.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed the development and clarified that a private aircraft’s tyre burst during landing, causing the inconvenience. However, he said that regular operations had subsequently resumed.
“I was informed that a private aircraft experienced a tyre burst on landing. But it has been cleared off the runway and operations are back to normal,” Achimugu said.
The temporary shutdown comes months after the Abuja airport’s runway was last closed for maintenance, which caused flight delays.
Official statements regarding the cause of the tyre burst and if an investigation would be conducted have not yet been made by the authorities.
Recall that on November 12, 2023, a flight operated by Aero Contractors (registered 5N-BYQ) landed at NAIA and attempted to evacuate the runway, but its nose wheel became lodged in the grass verge, prompting a temporary closure and rendering a portion of the runway unusable.
“The aircraft, in a bid to exit the runway via A4, had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway. Consequently, the runway was closed pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway.”
Also recall, on December 11, 2024, an Allied Air cargo plane (registration 5N-JRT) went off Runway 22, causing the runway to close while emergency personnel cleared the aircraft.
