FG lifts ban on Ibadan Airport

The Federal Government has lifted its suspension on the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State barely 24 hours after the airport was shutdown.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Saturday, ordered the immediate suspension of flight activities at the Ibadan airport following its decision to investigate the private jet accident that occurred at the facility on Friday night.

According to reports, the aircraft which had the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and some of his aides on board, crash-landed close to the runway and disrupted flight activities at the airport, as accident investigators were deployed to the scene.

However, sources at the airport confirmed to newsmen on Sunday that the airport had been opened to operations, as a domestic airline had already resumed operations there.

The source reportedly said, “It was shut down briefly for yesterday (Saturday) only but reopened for operations this (Sunday) morning.

“Overland resumed flights this (Sunday) morning,” a senior official at the airport, who pleaded not to be named due to lack of authorisation, stated.

Recall that officials of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau had on Saturday morning confirmed that an aircraft crash-landed at the airport the previous night but stressed that there was no casualty.

They stated that investigators from the bureau had been sent to the scene of the accident, and promised to provide further details as they unfold.

“Yes. Investigators are on ground at Ibadan. Further details shall be given as they unfold,” the spokesperson, NSIB, Tunji Oketumbi, stated.

The General Manager of the State Fire Service, Yemi Akinyinka, had also confirmed the incident. “Yes, it is true. Our men are on their way, but I don’t have details now. You will be updated,” he stated.

The aircraft was operated by FLINT AERO, as it departed Abuja to Ibadan and crashed short of the runway in Ibadan.

The HS25B aircraft with call sign 5NAMM reportedly had 10 passengers and three crew onboard,and was airborne Abuja at 18.41hrs, but crashed into the bush short of the runway at about 19.21hrs.

Although there was no fatality, sources said the aircraft sustained substantial damage, as all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.

Also, in a statement on Saturday, the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, James Odaudu, had said the agency was notified.

He said the NSIB had “commenced investigation into the accident involving an HS 125 aircraft with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-AMM belonging to Flint Aero, which occurred at about 08:21pm (Local Time) on November 3, 2023.

“The aircraft, with 10 passengers and three crew members onboard was en-route Ibadan from Abuja. The aircraft, on final approach to landing Runway 22, Ibadan Airport crashed short of the runway.

“There was no fatality, as all passengers and crew were safely evacuated. As the investigating agency, NSIB needs and hereby solicits for your assistance.”

Odaudu said the bureau wants “the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence, or information any members of the public may have of the accident; that can assist us with this investigation.”

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