Flight operations to and from the Port Harcourt International Airport began on Thursday. This follows the installation and ground check of the Precision Approach Instrument (PAPI), the landing equipment for aircraft, and its calibration by ASECNA.
Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has warned airlines operating to Port Harcourt Airport not to go below 3,000 metres, the minimum visibility for the airport.
The warning is contained in a statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN, Akin Olukunle.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had on Wednesday granted clearance to the airport for flight operations.
The Minister of Transportation, Diezani Alison-Madueke, is to formally reopen the airport on Friday. Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, is expected to receive the minister on the occasion.
Until the airfield lighting system for the airport is completed in the first quarter of 2008, flight operations into the Port Harcourt International Airport will be restricted to daylight Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and to aircraft in the weight category of Boeing 727 and other aircraft types below that category.
The reopening of the airport, according to the Managing Director of FAAN, Richard Aisuebeogun, is in line with the earlier promise by Alison-Madueke that the airport would be opened to daylight operation by mid-December.
The airport was closed on August 18, 2006 by NCAA and FAAN to allow for its rehabilitation and expansion, especially its runway, airfield lighting system and terminal building.
Dec212007