Benin Airport runway reopens after 12-day closure due to aircraft incident

The runway at Benin Airport in Nigeria's Edo State has reopened for flight operations, ending a 12-day closure. The disruption followed an incident on July 23 where an Enugu Air aircraft veered off the runway shortly after landing. ValueJet announced that its flights to and from Benin would resume on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

The runway closure was necessary to allow for the recovery of the affected aircraft and to conduct safety assessments. The Enugu Air Embraer E170, operating a flight from Lagos to Benin with 63 passengers and five crew members, experienced a runway excursion after landing. All individuals on board disembarked safely without injuries or fatalities.

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We’re pleased to announce that the Benin runway has reopened, and ValueJet flights resume from Wednesday, 5th August 2026.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is conducting an independent investigation into the occurrence. Investigators are examining the aircraft, assessing runway conditions, and reviewing operational records. While the airline's CEO suggested hydroplaning during landing may have contributed, the exact cause remains under investigation. The NSIB emphasized that the absence of injuries does not diminish the seriousness of the event.

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The absence of injuries did not diminish the seriousness of the occurrence.