FAAN Reopens Lagos Airport After Fire Incident, Deploys Remote Tower

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reopened the airspace at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport following a temporary disruption caused by a fire outbreak at Terminal One.

Flight operations were briefly suspended in line with safety protocols after the incident, which affected facilities within the airport. However, authorities confirmed that the situation was swiftly brought under control, allowing normal activities to resume.

Henry Agbebire, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs, said the closure lasted only a short period.
“It was just for a short period. Once the fire was contained, operations started. Planes have been flying in and leaving,” he stated.

Speaking earlier to journalists, FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed that the authority immediately activated emergency response measures to minimise operational downtime.

According to her, FAAN commenced the installation of a remote control tower to facilitate the quick restoration of flight operations.
“That remote tower should be up in the next 20 minutes, and we will be back to our operations. Flights should begin departing and arriving very shortly,” Kuku said.

She added that the authority has also activated contingency arrangements, including plans to set up a temporary terminal outside the Airport Operations Centre (AOC). The temporary facility, she noted, is expected to become operational within the next few days to support seamless airport activities.

Kuku commended the coordinated response by relevant agencies, describing it as prompt and effective. Agencies involved in the emergency operation included the National Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security and safety bodies.

FAAN had earlier announced the temporary closure of the airport’s airspace following the fire incident, assuring the public that all necessary steps were being taken to guarantee passenger safety and restore operations as quickly as possible.

Normal flight operations have since resumed at the Lagos airport.