Lagos Airport Terminal Paralyzed As Flooding Disrupts Operations

According to Ireporter Online, heavy rainfall on Sunday triggered severe flooding at the temporary terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, causing widespread disruption and forcing an immediate suspension of operations at the facility.

Several sections of the terminal, including the departure lounge, boarding areas, and airline office spaces, were submerged after hours of continuous downpour, leaving parts of the airport inoperable. The flooding made it impossible for airlines to carry out normal passenger processing, prompting airport authorities to shut down the terminal without delay.

Airlines operating from the affected terminal, including Air France-KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, and Fly Gabon, were subsequently relocated to Terminal Two to ensure the continuation of flight services without cancellations.

The incident also disrupted the terminal’s power supply after floodwater reportedly entered the powerhouse, leading to a temporary blackout across the facility.

Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) attributed the flooding to drainage complications around the ongoing reconstruction site of the old international terminal. The redevelopment project, being handled by a Chinese contractor, was said to have interfered with existing drainage channels, worsening the impact of the rainfall.

The old international terminal had been shut down months earlier for a large-scale renovation project reportedly valued at over ₦600 billion. The airport has recently experienced multiple operational challenges, including a fire incident that previously affected parts of the same terminal.

Following the disruption, all affected airlines have been fully moved to Terminal Two to maintain uninterrupted flight operations.

Authorities have assured that measures are being implemented to address the drainage failures and prevent a recurrence of similar flooding incidents at the airport facility.