Passengers facing distress, as FAAN diverts MMIA domestic flights to international terminal over runway closure

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has informed that one of the runways at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, will be closed to air traffic from Friday, July 8.

According to FAAN, in a notice to airline operators, Thursday, the Runway 18L/36R closure is for AFL installation.

The facility is expected to be shut for 90 days from Friday, July 8 till September 5, 2022 to enable installation of the CAT III Airfield Ground Lighting system on the runway.

The affected runway is operated by domestic airlines and terminates at either of the two domestic terminals of the MMIA.

However, for the period of the closure, FAAN said air traffic will be diverted to Runway 18R/36L at the international airport for seamless operations.

FAAN in a statement its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Faithful A. Hope-Ivbaze, however said a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to this effect has already been published and disseminated accordingly.

“As part of efforts aimed at improving safety and efficiency of flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has concluded arrangements to complete the installation of CAT III Airfield Ground Lighting system on Runway 18L/36R.

“The project, which will commence effectively on Friday, July 8, 2022, is expected to last for 90 days. Consequently, Runway 18L/36R will be closed to flight operations during this time.

“During the two-month long closure, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would be installing approach lights, Runway lights (threshold, centerline, edge lights … etc. So that runway 18L/ 36R returns to full 24/7 operations as soon as possible.

“FAAN had held a meeting with airline operators on July the 5th where the time frame and modalities were communicated

“In a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) from the Aeronautical Information Services of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), DNMM would be closed from 0000-23000 08/07/2022 to 05/09/2022 to effect the repairs.

The implication of the runway’s closure would see domestic flights termination at the international terminal, as passengers will now commute from there back to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) or MMIA 2 to pick up their parked vehicles.