Flights Diverted, Lagos Airspace Shut as Fire Engulfs MMIA Old Terminal

Lagos – Air travel at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) was disrupted on Monday after a major fire broke out at the Old Terminal, forcing the diversion of several international flights.

According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), at least four flights, including British Airways, Lufthansa, and Emirates, were diverted to Abuja and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. At least six people sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital. Twelve trapped Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) were safely rescued.

FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, said the fire began shortly after 3 p.m. in the terminal’s server room. She praised the coordinated efforts of sister agencies, including the Lagos State Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Police, for containing the blaze.

“The critical focus is to ensure the fire is fully controlled. All emergency operating procedures were activated, and everyone was evacuated safely with no fatalities,” Kuku said. She added that flight operations are expected to resume within hours.

Preliminary reports indicate that the fire was triggered by an electrical fault in the server room before spreading to other parts of the terminal.

FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs, Henry Agbebire, confirmed the incident and reassured travelers that ongoing rehabilitation work at the terminal would not be affected.

The Old Terminal is currently undergoing a major overhaul, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in August at a cost of N712 billion. The project, awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), involves stripping the building to its structural core and installing new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, emphasized that the current administration is committed to a full reconstruction rather than patchwork repairs. “We have decided to strip it down to only the carcass and then redo the complete M&E systems,” he said.

FAAN and other agencies continue to investigate the incident. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for updated flight schedules.