Turmoil at Lagos Airport: FG Summons Foreign Airlines to Tackle Travel Chaos
Lingering travel chaos at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) has reached a tipping point, leading the Federal Government to take swift action. Foreign airlines operating at the newly relocated New International Terminal have been summoned for an emergency meeting on Monday. This move comes as passengers continue to endure flight disruptions caused by baggage belt failures and logistical challenges.
The Ministerial Committee on Relocation, spearheaded by Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, is set to convene with stakeholders to devise a comprehensive solution to the ongoing pandemonium.
International travelers have been hit hard by this upheaval, with stranded passengers experiencing flight delays and cancellations in Lagos, Cairo, Doha, London, and other key destinations. The MMIA has turned into a scene of frustration, with lengthy check-in queues and protracted security checks.
This tumultuous situation unfolded following the sudden relocation of foreign airlines from the international terminal to the adjacent New International Terminal. The abrupt move coincided with a fire incident that disrupted part of the baggage hall, necessitating the evacuation of passengers and airport personnel.
An insider at MMIA disclosed the challenges faced during this ordeal, including recurring baggage belt malfunctions and a shortage of functioning scanning machines. The situation escalated during nighttime operations, compounding the delays and adding to the inconvenience endured by travelers.
The newly constructed terminal, funded through loans from China, had remained underutilized until the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) issued orders for several international airlines to relocate from MMIA’s international terminal to the new facility.
The impending Monday meeting holds the promise of a much-needed resolution to the ongoing disruptions, aiming to provide relief to affected passengers and restore operational efficiency at the airport.
