The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reopened Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto.

A statement from FAAN spokesperson, Yakubu Datti yesterday notified all airline operators, air passengers and other airport users that the airport has since resumed normal scheduled flights.

"The upgrade of the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, is with effect from March 20, 2016 following the provision of essential fire and safety facilities at the airport by the authority."

"A NOTAM (Notice to airmen) to this effect has been issued by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) notifying all airlines, sister agencies and critical stakeholders of this development.", the statement added.

Datti said the facility upgrade, which is in line with ICAO requirements and NCAA's approved Safety and Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs), will further enhance safety and security at the airport.

It would be recalled that the fire category of Sultan Abubakar III Airport, Sokoto, was recently downgraded for 24 hours during the rehabilitation of some fire service equipment. Work has since been completed in the rehabilitation of these equipment and the provision of new ones such as fire tenders and water tankers.

The authority hereby regrets the inconveniences this might have caused, as safety and security remains the main anchor of our operations.