In a significant move, starting October 1, 2023, all international airlines operating out of Lagos’s Murtala Mohammed International Airport will be required to shift from the aging international terminal, which will be shut down for repairs, to the newly constructed terminal building.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, announced this development during a recent inspection tour of aviation facilities at the Lagos airport on Thursday.
Keyamo also outlined forthcoming reforms within the aviation sector.
Keyamo revealed that all initiatives previously initiated by his predecessor, Hadi Sirika, including the Nigeria Air project, have been temporarily suspended to facilitate a proper audit of contracts.
Taking a hands-on approach, the minister personally assessed the airport’s perimeter fence by taking a bus ride around the premises, emphasising his commitment to enhancing aviation safety.
Amidst ongoing controversies surrounding the establishment of Nigeria’s national carrier, Nigeria Air, Veteran aviator Girma Wake resigned as Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines in June.
Capt. Dapo Olumide, the Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, clarified that the aircraft used to unveil the national carrier was legitimately chartered from Ethiopian Airlines.
The aircraft was subsequently returned to Ethiopian Airlines after its unveiling on the final day of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in May.
Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation had both labelled the launch of the Nigeria Air as a fraud.
