The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) has immediately suspended all flight operations at Roberts International Airport (RIA) following a runway incident involving a private jet late Thursday evening.
In an official statement released hours after the incident, the LAA confirmed that a private jet experienced a tire burst while landing, causing the aircraft to become immobile on the runway. The situation has disrupted the airport’s ability to safely accommodate additional aircraft operations, prompting the cancellation of all Thursday night flights.
“Due to the nature of the incident and the difficulty in immediately removing the aircraft, the LAA has taken the precautionary measure of suspending all scheduled flights for the night of Thursday, May 29, 2025,” the statement read.
The incident, which occurred at Liberia’s primary international gateway, raised immediate safety concerns. The LAA said its emergency response team, along with aviation technical experts, are working around the clock to remove the disabled aircraft and restore normal airport operations.
Authorities emphasized that the move to suspend operations was made in strict adherence to international aviation safety protocols. All relevant government and technical agencies have reportedly been mobilized to support the ongoing clearance efforts.
While there have been no reports of injuries, the incident caused significant disruption for travelers scheduled to depart or arrive tonight. Some passengers were seen stranded at the terminal, with LAA staff providing limited assistance and updates.
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause to travelers and assure the public that every effort is being made to resolve the situation promptly,” the Authority said.
The LAA also pledged to provide regular updates as efforts continue to clear the runway and resume flight activities.
This incident comes at a time when RIA is experiencing increased traffic due to growing regional travel. Authorities reiterated that the safety and security of all airport users remain their top priority.
Further updates are expected in the coming hours.
