Heavy Rain Floods MMIA Temporary Terminal, Forces Airlines to Relocate Operations

LAGOS, Nigeria — Heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding at the temporary terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Sunday, forcing authorities to suspend operations at the facility and relocate airlines to another terminal.

The flooding submerged the departure hall, boarding gates, temporary airline offices and other sections of the makeshift terminal, making it impossible for airlines to process departing passengers.

The development prompted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to shut down the terminal temporarily.

Airlines affected by the disruption, including Air France-KLM, Ethiopian Airlines and Fly Gabon, were relocated to Terminal Two of the airport to continue operations.

Airport officials also disclosed that the terminal’s powerhouse was flooded, forcing authorities to disconnect electricity as a safety precaution.

According to FAAN officials, the flooding was caused by blocked drainage channels, which they linked to the ongoing reconstruction of the airport’s old international terminal by a Chinese contractor.

The incident occurred just months after FAAN closed the old international terminal for a major reconstruction project valued at more than ₦600 billion. The facility had also suffered a fire outbreak earlier this year, which damaged parts of the terminal.

Sources familiar with the project said the ongoing reconstruction had led to several operational disruptions at the airport.

Reacting to the incident, FAAN spokesperson Henry Agbebire confirmed that the flooding resulted from construction activities that temporarily affected the airport’s drainage system.

“It was the construction works that affected the drainage. And for operational reasons, we have moved airlines operating from that terminal to Terminal 2, and the development has not really affected their operations,” Agbebire said.

He added that no flights were cancelled as a result of the flooding.

“There were no cancellations at all. We have taken immediate action to fix that problem to the extent that it doesn’t happen again. You can rest assured of that,” he said.

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A Lagos-based journalist with a passion for disseminating factual information and a deep appreciation for good music, good food, movies, and beautiful cars. He hopes to travel the world someday, documenting its beauty and diverse cultures through his storytelling.