Abuja airport runway briefly shut after private jet tyre burst

Flight operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, were briefly disrupted on Thursday after a private jet experienced a tyre burst on landing, forcing a temporary shutdown of the runway.

Authorities have since confirmed that the aircraft was cleared, and normal operations have resumed.

Online gathered that the incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, leading to a temporary shutdown of the runway.

Confirming the development, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, explained that the disruption was caused by a tyre burst from a private aircraft during landing, but noted that normal operations had since resumed.

“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,” Achimugu said

The temporary shutdown comes months after the Abuja airport’s runway was last closed for maintenance, which caused flight delays.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the cause of the tyre burst or whether an investigation will be launched into the incident.

Recall that on 12 November 2023, a flight operated by Aero Contractors (registration 5N-BYQ) landed at NAIA and, in a bid to exit the runway, had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge, rendering part of the runway unusable and causing a temporary closure.

“The aircraft, in a bid to exit the runway via A4, had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway. Consequently, the runway was closed pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway.”

Also, on 11 December 2024, a cargo aircraft operated by Allied Air (registration 5N-JRT) skidded off Runway 22, prompting a runway closure while emergency services cleared the aircraft.

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