The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has concluded arrangements for the reopening of the runway of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, on Saturday September 17, 2011, about four months after it was shut for asphalt resurfacing and overlay.

Managing Director of FAAN,  Richard Aisuebeogun, stated this in Calabar after inspecting the 2.45m x 45m runway .

Mr. Aisuebeogun, who expressed satisfaction with the completion of the work, had directed that the Director of Environmental Services of FAAN,  Mohammed Bello,  to facilitate the cleaning of the runway to ensure that it is free of any foreign object deposit (FOD).

The FAAN boss observed that the sweeping of the runway would be done within the next 48 hours after which the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would be invited for the final inspection and approval of the completed project.

He added, “We have done all that is required technically on this runway rehabilitation to enhance safety of flight operations to this airport. Just like in Enugu Airport, what we have done in Calabar is complete rehabilitation. Since the construction of these airports, their runways have undergone minimal surface maintenance and in most cases adhoc rehabilitation.”