Flooding Disrupts Operations At Lagos Airport Terminal

Heavy rainfall on Sunday caused major flooding at the temporary terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, leading to disorder and a sudden shutdown of operations at the facility.

Naija News reports that several areas of the terminal, including the departure hall, boarding points, and airline office spaces, were covered with water after hours of rain.

The situation made it impossible for airlines to continue normal passenger processing, forcing airport authorities to close the terminal without delay.

Airlines operating from the affected terminal, including Air France-KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, and Fly Gabon, were moved to Terminal Two of the airport to continue their services.

The flooding also affected the terminal’s power system after water entered the powerhouse, leading to a temporary shutdown of electricity in the area.

Officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria explained that the incident was linked to drainage problems around the construction site of the old international terminal.

The ongoing rebuilding work has been handled by a Chinese contractor, and it was reported that the construction activity interfered with the drainage channels, which contributed to the flooding.

The old international terminal had already been closed months earlier for a major reconstruction project valued at over N600 billion.

The airport has also faced other setbacks in recent months, including a fire incident that damaged parts of the same terminal.

Following Sunday’s incident, all affected airlines were fully relocated to Terminal Two to ensure continued flight operations without cancellation.

Airport authorities said steps were being taken to correct the drainage issues and prevent a repeat of the flooding situation at the facility.