FAAN reopens airspace, sets up remote tower at Lagos international airport

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says flight operations have resumed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport after a temporary disruption caused by a fire incident.

Confirming the development to TheCable, Henry Agbebire, director of public affairs at FAAN, said the airspace closure lasted only a short period.

“It was just for a short period. Once the fire was curtailed, the operations started. Planes have been flying in and leaving,” Agbebire said.

Earlier, while speaking to journalists, Olubunmi Kuku, managing director (MD) of FAAN, said the agency had begun setting up a remote control tower to restore operations.

“That remote tower should be up in the next 20 minutes, and we will be back to our operations,” she said.

“So we should have flights departing and arriving very shortly, as soon as that is set up.”

Kuku added that FAAN is activating contingency plans, including a temporary terminal outside the airport operations centre (AOC).

“That should be up and running in the next couple of days as well,” the FAAN boss added.

She expressed appreciation for the coordinated response to the incident, noting that both federal and state authorities provided support.

According to Kuku, agencies involved in the emergency response include the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Nigerian Air Force, the police, and other security and safety agencies.

FAAN had temporarily closed the airspace following a fire incident at terminal one of the Lagos airport.

The authority said the decision was taken in line with established safety protocols.(The Cable)