FAAN: Lagos Airport Terminal Link To Open Before December Peak
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its investment in the aviation sector, saying the support is helping to revive major airport projects abandoned for decades.
Kuku spoke on Tuesday during the symbolic pouring of the final concrete for the ongoing rehabilitation and expansion works at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, particularly the overhead bridge linking Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
She said the Federal Government’s intervention had enabled FAAN to accelerate work on infrastructure, technology and modern equipment aimed at improving passenger experience at Nigeria’s premier international gateway.
According to her, the terminal rehabilitation includes the expansion of Terminal 1, improvements to Terminal 2 and its passenger fingers, as well as the development of a transit hub.
Kuku said the completion of the final concrete pour on the overhead bridge represented a major milestone in the project, adding that the facility was expected to be ready for use within the next couple of months.
She expressed optimism that the bridge would be operational before the December peak travel period, noting that significant progress had also been made on the canopy, rails, façade and other structural components.
The FAAN boss also disclosed that attention was being given to modernising the airport’s technology infrastructure, including baggage-handling equipment, check-in systems, retail facilities and other systems designed to improve passenger experience.
She thanked President Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for their support, saying the administration had placed considerable emphasis on completing major aviation infrastructure projects.
On the proposed rail connection between Lagos and the airport, Kuku said the project was being initiated by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and would extend the Lagos Red Line to the airport.
She explained that the proposed rail service would have several stops within the airport environment, including terminals 1 and 2, the Hajj and cargo areas and airport offices.
According to her, the project is expected to provide passengers with a direct connection between the airport and the city, reducing dependence on road transportation.
Kuku said environmental impact assessments, design reviews and other preparatory processes were ongoing, while FAAN would engage communities along the corridor before construction begins.
She described the proposed rail connection as a landmark project that would complement the ongoing rehabilitation of the airport terminals.
On accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility, the FAAN managing director said the authority had introduced measures to make the upgraded facilities more inclusive.
She disclosed that two ambulifts had been provided by FAAN, while a ground-handling company had supplied another, bringing the number available at the airport to three.
She added that new flight information display systems would include features to support passengers with special needs, while ramps, elevators and wheelchair-accessible routes were also being incorporated into the terminal upgrades.
Kuku further said the rehabilitation would provide clearer separation between arriving and departing passengers and improve access from the airport gates into the terminals.
Appealing for patience from passengers ahead of the December travel rush, she acknowledged that the ongoing construction had created difficulties but said the disruption was necessary to deliver long-term improvements.
She said FAAN had also taken steps to ease congestion, including connecting the Seymour car park directly to Terminal 2.
Kuku urged passengers to obey directional signs, follow airport instructions and arrive at least three to four hours before their flights during the peak travel period.
She also advised travellers to remain in contact with their airlines for updates and assured that FAAN would deploy additional personnel to assist passengers during the period.
