Twelve months after its closure for upgrade, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reopened the 3.9km 18R/36L Runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The runway which was initially shutdown in April 2023 for an eight-week maintenance subsequently had the period extended due to delays and other logistics.
The Runway 18R/36L is 3,900m (12,794 feet) and a width of 60m(197 feet).
The closure of the runway for a long time led to the theft of the lighting cables and other landing aids by criminal elem2bts in connivance with some FAAN workers.
Following the reopening of links 2 & 3 of the runway, international airlines may now necessarily need to make use of the domestic 18L/36R runway.
Kenya Airways has become the first international carrier to land on the Runway welcomed with a water cannon salute, announcing the resumption of flights on the runway.
The managing director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, at an interactive meeting with some journalists recently at the Lagos airport, promised that the runway will soon be reopened following the joint efforts between the authority and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency of Nigeria (NAMA).
