Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) (IATA: LOS, ICAO: DNMM) (Yoruba: Pápá Ọkọ̀ Òfurufú Káríayé Múrítàlá Mùhammẹ̀d) is an international airport located in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, and is the major airport serving the entire state.
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Control Tower of Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Early History and Development
The airport was built during World War II. West African Airways Corporation (WAAC) was formed in 1947 and had its main base at Ikeja. Originally De Havilland Doves were initially operated on WAACs Nigerian internal routes then West African services.
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Originally known as Lagos Airport, it was renamed in the mid 1970s, during construction of the new international terminal, after a former Nigerian military head of state Murtala Muhammed. The international terminal was modeled after Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The new terminal opened officially on 15 March 1979.
Lagos Airport in 1969 with a Vickers VC-10 of Nigeria Airways and a Fokker F27 Friendship at the stands.
Airport Layout and Functionality
Murtala Muhammed International Airport consists of an international and a domestic terminal, located about one kilometre from each other. Both terminals share the same runways. This domestic terminal used to be the old Ikeja Airport. International operations moved to the new international airport when it was ready while domestic operations moved to the Ikeja Airport, which became the domestic airport. The domestic operations were relocated to the old Lagos domestic terminal in 2000 after a fire.
Security Concerns and Improvements
During the late 1980s and 1990s, the international terminal had a reputation of being dangerous. From 1992 through 2000, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posted warning signs in all US international airports advising travelers that security conditions at Lagos Airport did not meet ICAO minimum standards. In 1993, the FAA suspended air service between Lagos and the United States.
Following Olusegun Obasanjo's democratic election in 1999, the security situation at Lagos began to improve. Airport police instituted a "shoot on sight" policy for anyone found in the secure areas around runways and taxiways, stopping further airplane robberies. Police secured the inside of the terminal and the arrival areas outside. The FAA ended its suspension of direct flights to Nigeria in 2001 in recognition of these security improvements. By 2010, the FAA had granted the airport its highest safety rating.
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Airline Operations and Services
Through its joint venture with Nigeria Airways, South African Airways (SAA) inaugurated a flight from Johannesburg to New York via Lagos in February 2001. The airline reserved roughly a third of the seats on the Boeing 747 for Nigeria Airways. However, SAA terminated the service the following March, stating that it was unprofitable.
Recent Improvements and Expansion
Recent years have seen substantial improvements at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Malfunctioning and non-operational infrastructures such as air conditioning and luggage belts have been repaired. The entire airport has been cleaned, and many new restaurants and duty-free stores have opened. Bilateral Air Services Agreements signed between Nigeria and other countries are being revived and new ones signed.
On 6 September 2012, then Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, announced that the Federal Government of Nigeria approved a N106 billion loan from the Exim Bank of China to construct 5 new international terminals, including a passenger terminal in Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Construction began in late 2013, and the new international terminal was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on 22 March 2022.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal
Trip Report Summary (March 11, 2024)
The following is a summary of a trip report covering Murtala Muhammed International Airport / DNMM following a visit from our Global Vendor Team.
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- Visit Date: 3/11/2024
- Country: Nigeria
- Airport Name: Murtala Muhammed International Airport
- ICAO Code: DNMM
- IATA Code: LOS
Airport General Information
- Location: Ikeja area of Lagos
- Distance to Downtown: 25 kms or 15.5 Miles
- Travel Time to Downtown: 30 mins (usual), 45-60 mins (rush hour)
- Travel Options: Car, taxi/ride share, car rental
- Number of Airports in the City: One
General Aviation Area
- Approx. Number of Aircraft Accommodated: About 8 mid-sized jets
- Number of GA Ground Handlers: Three
- Distance between GA area and main terminal: From 20m-100m (65-328 ft)
- GA permits and slot required: Landing permit only required
- Notes for GA parking: Only Truck fuel is available at GA aprons
Commercial Area
- Approx. Number of Aircraft Accommodated: 22 on International and 12 at the Domestic Comm aprons
- Number of Commercial Ground Handlers: Two
- Types of Commercial Traffic: Passenger and Cargo
- Commercial permit and slots required: Landing permit only required
- Notes for Commercial Parking: Parking is limited on Comm aprons
Technical Stop Location
- Recommended as tech stop: Yes
- Favorable fuel price: Yes
- Risk of fueling delays: Delays subject to scheduled traffic
- Catering available: Yes
- Passenger and crew access: Yes
- Notes: Excellent option for a fuel stop and/or layover. Several fuel supplier options are available, all with truck capabilities, reducing the chance of fuel delays.
Customs & Immigration
- Ease of C&I procedures: Yes
- C&I clearance required for techstop: No
- 24/7 C&I officials available: Yes
- C&I can be done at handler/FBO facility: Yes (Execujet and Nestav)
- Recommended as first port of entry: Yes
Security
- Security Level: 5
- Overall threat assessment: Very High
- Primary security threat: Petty and violent crime
- Other concerns: Terrorism, protests, strikes, militancy, maritime piracy, sectarian violence, corruption
Handler Information
- GA Handlers: Execujet FBO, Nestav FBO, Evergreen Apple FBO
- Commercial Handlers: SAHCON, NAHCO
Accidents and Incidents
- November 20, 1969: Nigeria Airways Flight 925 crashed while on approach to Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
- September 26, 1992: A Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules crashed three minutes after take-off in the nearby Ejigbo canal.
- November 7, 1996: ADC Airlines Flight 086, a Boeing 727-231 was approaching the airport whilst avoiding a potential collision.
- June 3, 2012: Dana Air Flight 0992 crashed in close proximity of the airport.
- October 3, 2013: Associated Aviation Flight 361 crashed shortly after takeoff.
- February 13, 2018: Delta Air Lines Flight 55 suffered a fire in the left-hand engine, returning to Lagos for a safe landing.
- May 15, 2019: An Air Peace Boeing 737 suffered a hard landing on runway 18R, resulting in damage to the engine pod and the landing gear.
- February 16, 2021: An Azman Air Boeing 737 blew several main tyres upon landing on runway 18R.
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