Abuja Airport closure postponed to March 8

Jan 5, 2016: The closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja has been postponed to March 8.

The decision to shut the airport and divert Abuja-bound flights to Kaduna airport, which is used primarily for domestic flights was taken after airlines threatened to stop flying to the capital.

The government had said the six weeks closure would begin in February. But a statement was issued which said the aviation minister would discuss the matter with stakeholders, said the "proposed closure" was set to start on March 8.

No reason was given for the change of date.

The meeting with aviation industry figures will brief them on efforts being made to ensure that the use of Kaduna's airport is "seamless and hitch-free," said aviation ministry spokesman James Odaudu.