The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has directed airlines to process their passengers through the new international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

In line with the directive of the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, FAAN in a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, said that the expedited relocation to the new international terminal at MMIA is necessary due to the fire incident that occurred at the international terminal 1, known as old terminal, on Wednesday, September 6.

Keyamo, during a visit to the Lagos airport had directed FAAN to relocate airlines to the new international terminal for the shutdown of the old terminal by 1st October, 2023 with a view to improving passenger experience and for total overhaul of the old facility.

The Minister said that the new terminal was being underutilised while the infrastructure at the old terminal had become obsolete, adding that FAAAN ought to maximise the utilisation of the new structure.

“We should move and use the new terminal. The new terminal is underutilised. We spent a lot of money building it and we have to use it. The old terminal is a total eye-sore.

“Since I came into office, I have heard complaints upon complaints. The central air condition is not working, the carousels are not working, they broke down quite often and the approach into the airport is smelly, it is totally unwelcoming to people coming into Nigeria and that is the gateway to Nigeria,” the Minister had said.

FAAN in its statement on relocation said, “We intend to make this movement as seamless as possible but we appeal to all travellers to please be at the airport early enough to complete your check-in formalities on time in order not to miss your flights.”