Flight operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, were momentarily disrupted on Thursday after a private jet experienced a tyre burst during landing, prompting a temporary shutdown of the main runway.
Authorities have since confirmed that the affected aircraft has been cleared, and normal flight operations have resumed. Okay News reports that the incident occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m., causing a brief halt in airport activities.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, provided clarification on the development, stating, “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.”
This temporary runway closure comes months after maintenance work at Abuja airport previously caused flight delays and operational challenges. As of now, officials have not released any official statement on the exact cause of the tyre burst or whether a formal investigation will be initiated.
Historically, the Abuja airport has experienced similar runway interruptions. For instance, on 12 November 2023, an Aero Contractors flight (registration 5N-BYQ) encountered difficulty exiting the runway when its nose wheel became stuck in the grass verge, leading to a temporary closure. Similarly, on 11 December 2024, a cargo flight operated by Allied Air (registration 5N-JRT) skidded off Runway 22, which required emergency services to clear the aircraft.
The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport remains a central hub for domestic and international flights in Nigeria, making operational safety and runway reliability critical for both passenger and cargo traffic.
