Heavy Rains Force Shutdown of Lagos Airport Temporary Terminal

Operations at the temporary terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos were thrown into chaos on Sunday after intense rainfall led to severe flooding, forcing an emergency shutdown of the facility.

The flooding submerged critical areas of the terminal, including the departure hall, boarding gates, and various airline administrative offices. Due to the influx of water, the facility’s powerhouse was also compromised, necessitating a complete cut of electricity to the building for safety reasons.

In response to the disruption, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) relocated affected airlines including Air France-KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, and Fly Gabon to the airport’s Terminal Two to ensure that flight schedules remained intact. Airport authorities attributed the flooding to blocked drainage channels caused by ongoing construction work at the old international terminal, which is currently undergoing a massive multi-billion naira renovation.

FAAN spokesperson Henry Agbebire confirmed that the construction activities had temporarily obstructed the site’s drainage system. He assured the public that the situation was under control, noting that the relocation of airlines had prevented any flight cancellations. FAAN is currently working to resolve the drainage issues to prevent future occurrences and ensure the terminal can return to normal operations safely.