To ease travel burdens druring the December peak travel period, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Tuesday promised to open the almost completed overhead bridge linking Terminals 1 and 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos in December. 

The Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, ahead of the target, performed the final concrete pouring on the bridge as part of an inspection of ongoing rehabilitation and expansion projects at the airport.

Kuku said the completion of the concrete work marked a significant milestone, as the canopy, framing and rails were already substantially completed.

“I am confident that by the December peak period, we should have this open for public use,” she said.

According to her, the bridge will also connect to the airport’s transit hub and support the expansion of the fingers at Terminal 2.

Kuku said work was progressing on Terminal 1, including the iconic eagle structure where a canopy would be installed, while canopy and facade works were ongoing on both the new structure and existing terminal building.

She said FAAN was also reviewing the technology and equipment to be deployed as part of the airport’s modernisation.

“These include baggage handling equipment and check-in technology systems, retail layout and space design, as well as overall passenger experience enhancements,” she said.

The FAAN boss acknowledged the frustration caused by traffic congestion and construction-related disruptions at the airport but said the ongoing overhaul was necessary after years without major structural upgrades.

“Operating a high-traffic airport while executing a major rehabilitation is a complex challenge.

“However, the progress made today is for the long-term benefit of the country, passengers and the airport as the primary point of entry into Nigeria,” she said.

On accessibility, Kuku said FAAN had acquired and delivered two AmbuLifts to the airport to assist passengers with reduced mobility, while a ground-handling company had provided another, bringing the number of active units to three.

She said the upgraded terminals would feature enhanced Flight Information Display Systems with audio and visual capabilities to improve accessibility for passengers with hearing or visual impairments.

“Ramps, accessible elevators and dedicated wheelchair routes are also being incorporated into the terminal and finger corridors,” she said.

Kuku said passenger flows had also been redesigned, with arrival and departure streams separated and wheelchair-accessible ramps connecting gates to the terminal buildings.

She disclosed that the Federal Government was initiating an extension of the Lagos Mass Transit Red Line to the airport.

According to her, the extension is expected to have four or five stops within the airport perimeter, including Terminal 1, Terminal 2, the Hadron Cargo Area, administrative offices and the Bissam area.

She said the project would provide a direct rail connection between the airport and the city, allowing passengers to travel toward Marina without relying on road transport.

Kuku said environmental impact assessments, design reviews and procurement processes were ongoing for the rail project.

She urged travellers to arrive at the airport three to four hours before scheduled departure during the December travel peak, follow directional signs and use designated parking areas.

She also advised passengers to confirm flight updates directly with their airlines before leaving for the airport.

Kuku said FAAN would deploy additional personnel across the airport during the holiday period to assist travellers and reduce operational challenges.

She attributed congestion around the Seymour drop-off zone partly to motorists’ preference for Level 1, despite the availability of upper levels with direct connections to the terminal.

She said FAAN had also connected the Seymour Car Park directly to Terminal 2 to enable passengers to walk conveniently to their vehicles.

The MMIA Terminal 1 rehabilitation and modernisation project, being executed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, is valued at N712.26 billion and fully funded domestically through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, without borrowing.