Flights grounded at Akure airport as rainstorm destroys control tower, buildings

Flight operations at the Akure airport have been grounded following the heavy rainstorm that destroyed some equipment at the control tower of the airport in Eleyowo, Akure North Local Council Area of Ondo State.

The rain, which was accompanied by heavy winds on Monday night, also destroyed buildings within the airport.

According to sources within the airport, the incident caused discomfort to passengers, airport users, and other aviation officials working at the airport.

The rainstorm had also wreaked havoc in Eleyewo, Ilu Abo, and Bolorunduro communities, where over 20 buildings, including schools, houses and churches, were destroyed.

The communities affected by the rainstorm include Eleyewo, Ilu Abo and Bolorunduro, with vehicles and electricity poles also destroyed.
One of the sources, who craved anonymity over non authorisation to speak on the incident, disclosed that some equipment like network time protocol, encoder, air conditioners, computers, and other equipment in the control tower was destroyed by the rainstorm.

Commercial flights will be grounded at the airport until the damaged equipment will be fixed by the airport authority, the source said.

“If you go round the airport, many buildings, including staff quarters, were touched. About seven buildings housing airport staff had their roofs removed as a result of the heavy thunderstorm.

“With the development, all commercial flights have been grounded until further notice by the airport authority pending the repairs of damaged equipment.”

The manager of the airport did not respond to phone calls to inquire about the incident.