The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reopened Lagos airspace following a brief closure caused by a fire at Terminal 1 of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs, Henry Agbebire, confirmed that the shutdown was short-lived. “It was just for a short period.
Once the fire was contained, operations resumed. Planes are now arriving and departing,” he said.
FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, stated that a remote control tower is being installed to restore full airport operations.
“That remote tower should be ready in the next 20 minutes, and flights will resume shortly,” Kuku said.
The authority is also activating contingency measures, including a temporary terminal outside the Airport Operations Centre, which is expected to be operational in the coming days.
Kuku praised the coordinated efforts of federal and state agencies in managing the incident.
Emergency teams on site included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Nigerian Air Force, the police, and other safety agencies.
All 12 personnel from the control tower have been safely rescued. The fire, which originated in the IT server room on the third floor of the five-storey E-wing departure lounge, has been fully contained.
FAAN assured the public and travellers that normal flight operations are resuming and promised to provide further updates as the situation develops.
