[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he new Chinese built Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA) has taken centre stage but the reasons leave little to be desired as the October 1 relocation notice coupled with yesterday’s fire outbreak has led to a hasty relocation which has caused major disruptions in operations as well as cancellations.
The current melee at the MMIA, which according to passengers reeks of lack of preparedness of the airport authority has entered its second day with passengers at sixes and sevens without direction.
Observers say there is no way to under one day transfer processing capacity of the old terminal to the new one without it resulting in a paralysing gridlock as the MMIA is facing.
Passengers have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction of the situation with strenuous situations with arriving airlines and baggage.
Also observers feel part of the reason for the chaos at the MMIA apart from the hurried transfer is because the new terminal is so far ready to handle smaller aircraft like the Boeing 737s or Airbus 320s but lacks capacity for the bigger aircraft type in the range of the Boeing777 and above.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) however in a statement said it has redirected processing of passengers through the New International Terminal, effective immediately.
According to a statement signed by Director, 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.” The statement read.
