Lagos Airport

Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), better known as Lagos or Ikeja Airport, in facts, map and passenger information with a virtual video landing at Lagos Airport. The aviation hub opened on 15th March 1979 and was to be known as Lagos International Airport; however, its name was changed midway through construction in honour of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, a former military head of state, who was assassinated in 1976 during an abortive coup attempt. The airport is located in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, thus its local name Ikeja Airport, and is one of the largest airports in Africa. Despite recently opening a new terminal, the airport, like most of Nigeria, suffers from regular power outages, leading some to describe it as 'a death trap'. Recent reports noted that passengers were stranded for 4-6 hours after power failures at the airport.

Recognised as a critical node in global air travel, MMIA boasts an impressive roster of operating airlines, underscoring its pivotal role in international connectivity. Major global carriers, including British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Ethiopian Airlines, all maintain regular services to Lagos Airport, providing direct links to major cities across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and other parts of Africa.

These international couriers are complemented by African airlines including Kenya Airways, South African Airways, RwandAir, and ASKY Airlines, which strengthen intra-African routes. Domestically, Nigerian airlines such as Air Peace, Arik Air, Azman Air, Max Air, and Ibom Air utilise MMIA as a primary hub, connecting Lagos to other key Nigerian cities like Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu, ensuring seamless internal movement for travellers and goods. This diverse mix highlights MMIA's importance as both an international entry point and a crucial domestic distribution centre.

The extensive network of destinations reachable from Murtala Mohammed International Airport reflects its status as a global gateway. From Lagos, passengers can embark on direct flights to numerous major European capitals, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Istanbul, catering to both business and leisure travellers. Connections to North America include direct flights to cities like Atlanta and Houston, serving the significant Nigerian diaspora and fostering transatlantic trade.

Across the Middle East, Dubai and Doha are prominent destinations, acting as crucial connecting points to Asia and Australia. Within Africa, MMIA offers direct links to a range of cities such as Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Douala, and Abidjan, facilitating regional commerce, tourism, and diplomatic ties. This vast array of direct and connecting flights means that MMIA effectively serves as a crucial transit point for travellers moving between continents and within Africa, solidifying its reputation as a strategic aviation crossroads.

 
 
 
  
 

Lagos Airport

Lagos Airport

Lagos Airport

Lagos Airport

 


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Inside Lagos Airport

Murtala Mohammed Airport Nigeria

Murtala Mohammed International Airport consistently ranks among the busiest airports in Africa. While exact figures fluctuate year-on-year due to global events and economic factors, it typically processes between 6 to 8 million passengers each year, a figure that includes both international and domestic travellers, demonstrating its large capacity and the high demand for air travel in its catchment area. These passenger figures not only underscore the airport's operational level but also its socio-economic impact, making MMIA a vital engine for growth in Nigeria and the broader West African region. The steady increase in passenger traffic over the years has also necessitated ongoing infrastructural upgrades and strategic planning to ensure efficient handling of future growth.

To cater to its vast passenger numbers and diverse airline operations, Murtala Mohammed International Airport has invested significantly in modern facilities and infrastructure. The airport comprises two main terminals: the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal. The International Terminal, the older but recently upgraded section, handles all international flights, offering a range of services from duty-free shops, restaurants, and lounges to visa services and currency exchange bureaus. A more contemporary, brand-new international terminal was inaugurated in 2022, significantly expanding capacity and modernising the passenger experience with state-of-the-art check-in counters, baggage handling systems, and advanced security screening. This new terminal promises to enhance efficiency and comfort for international travellers. The Domestic Terminal, adjacent to the international one, caters exclusively to flights within Nigeria, providing similar essential services, including retail outlets, eateries, and comfortable waiting areas. Both terminals (a mile apart) are connected by shuttle services and offer ample parking. Furthermore, MMIA is equipped with modern air traffic control systems, extensive runway infrastructure capable of handling large aircraft, cargo facilities to support freight operations, and dedicated maintenance hangars. Ongoing projects aim to further improve ground transportation, expand apron areas, and upgrade power supply, all geared towards solidifying MMIA's position as a world-class aviation hub.

Located around a thirty-minute drive from the centre of Lagos, passengers are warned to only use airport taxis when leaving the airport, as other drivers see tourists and charge them exorbitant fees. Again, opportunist porters can be found lurking around the terminal entrances who may just make off with your luggage. Those travelling in the early morning or late night arrivals can stay at the Legend Hotel Lagos Airport, which is just 1000 yards away from the airport and offers 5-star accommodation with all the facilities you would expect.

In the video (above), make a virtual landing at Lagos Airport and see Nigeria from the air as you approach the runway, then use the link to explore Lagos itself.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Murtala Mohammed International Airport Nigeria

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