Taraba Airport Temporarily Shut Down for Upgrades and Improvements

• Danbaba Suntai Airport in Jalingo will be closed temporarily until December 20, 2024.
• The closure supports a major upgrade project approved by the NCAA.
• Planned improvements include runway extension, drainage systems, and new fire tenders.
• The upgrades aim to enhance infrastructure and air travel services in Taraba and neighboring regions.
• Full flight operations will resume once the project is completed.

The Taraba State Ministry of Transportation Development has announced the temporary closure of Danbaba Suntai Airport in Jalingo, the state capital, to facilitate ongoing infrastructure upgrades. The closure, which began this week, will last until December 20, 2024.

Yakubu Yakubu, the Commissioner for Transportation Development, confirmed the closure in a statement released on Friday, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Kwantar Genesis. The closure is in accordance with the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and aims to support several key upgrades to the airport.

The improvement works, which began in January 2024, include the construction of drainage systems, installation of perimeter fencing, the addition of an Instrument Landing System, the rehabilitation of the runway (to extend its length from 2.4 km to 3 km), and the acquisition of two new fire tenders.

These upgrades are part of the state government’s broader effort to enhance the airport’s infrastructure and improve air travel services for residents of Taraba and neighboring states. The commissioner urged commuters to remain patient as work progresses, with full flight operations expected to resume once the upgrades are completed.