Fire Outbreak In Lagos Airport: Confusion Over Relocation Of Foreign Flights
Confusion continues to reign at the International Wing of the Lagos Airport following the relocation of flight activities to the new terminal.
Hitherto yesterday, flight operations, including passenger profiling, processing, check-in and others, were being conducted at the old terminal building.
The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, announced October 1st, 2023 as the deadline for all international flights to be relocated to the new terminal.
The sudden decision by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to commence the relocation exercise immediately has been attributed to the fire outbreak at the old terminal on Wednesday.
Nigerian Tribune reports that the sudden relocation has led to a chaotic situation which has put the passengers both on arrival and departure into a very stressful experience while trying to access the new terminal.
According to the information gathered, the swiftness in the relocation, which caught the relevant authorities like immigration, airline workers, customs, NDLEA, and others unaware, is making the job of passenger profiling and processing with baggage tracking cumbersome.
Many passengers have announced their frustrations about the untidy arrangements, which have led to flight delays and disruptions.
To further compound the problems, many passengers complained about the longer distance and the lack of aviobridges at the new terminal to handle wide-body aircraft, which the old terminal used to handle conveniently.
FAAN had earlier in the day issued a statement that it was redirecting processing of passengers through the New International Terminal, effective immediately.
According to the Director, of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, the transfer to the New International Terminal at MMIA was deemed necessary due to the unfortunate fire incident that occurred at the International Terminal 1 yesterday.
“The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, during his maiden visit to Lagos airport had directed the FAAN to relocate airlines to the New International Terminal for the shutdown of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 1 by 1st October, 2023 with a view to improving passenger experience and for total overhaul of the terminal.
“We intend to make this movement as seamless as possible but appeal to all travellers to please be at the airport early enough to complete their check-in formalities on time in order not to miss their flight”, Yakubu-Funtua said.
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