FAAN Discloses Five Stops for Lagos Airport Rail Link

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, has announced that the planned extension of the Lagos Red Line to Murtala Muhammed International Airport will include approximately five stops within the airport precinct.

The rail project, driven by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, is designed to link the airport directly with the city and enhance mobility for passengers and airport users.

Onabanjo-Kuku spoke during an inspection of the ongoing remodelling of Lagos International Airport Terminals One and Two. She said the proposed stops would serve Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Hadron Cargo, airport offices and another location near Bisam.

The extension, she explained, will stretch the Red Line from its current terminus around Ikeja into the airport, enabling passengers to move between the airport and other parts of Lagos without depending solely on road transport.

“The whole idea is to connect the city to the airport. So from the airport, you should be able to get into Marina almost immediately. You shouldn’t have to use cars,” she said.

She cautioned, however, that construction would not commence immediately, as several technical and regulatory processes remain ongoing. Environmental impact assessments, design reviews and procurement procedures are being handled as part of preparations.

She described the rail link as a landmark project that would complement the extensive rehabilitation and expansion already underway at the international terminals.

Terminal rehabilitation advances

On the ongoing construction, Onabanjo-Kuku expressed optimism that key components would be completed before the December travel surge.

She said final concrete work on the overhead bridge linking Terminals 1 and 2 had been completed, a significant milestone that should ease movement between the terminals and improve the passenger experience.

“I’m extremely excited to see the level of progress. I’ve just engaged some of the consultants and the engineering team on the project, and I’ve been informed that in the next couple of months this will be ready for use,” she stated.

The canopy and structural work are substantially finished, and the rails have been installed. The goal, she added, is to open the bridge before the peak December travel period.

“Beyond the bridge, as you can see, work is progressing on Terminal 1, including the distinctive canopy structure and façade. The authority is also working on baggage-handling systems, check-in technology, retail facilities and other systems intended to modernise passenger processing.”

Passenger patience acknowledged

Onabanjo-Kuku acknowledged that the prolonged construction had tested passengers’ patience, with many expressing frustration over traffic and movement around the airport.

She said the difficulties were understandable, especially given that the airport had operated for about 50 years without a major upgrade of this scale.

“Passengers have been extremely patient with us. I have seen people who have expressed frustrations. Those frustrations happen, especially in an airport that has been here for about 50 years with no major upgrades,” she said.

She appealed to travellers to appreciate the difficult balance between keeping the airport operational and executing major construction works.

“We have a highly volatile construction environment going on. We also have an operational environment. It’s quite challenging to be operating an airport and having such a major rehabilitation going on,” she said.

Inclusive facilities

The authority is also making provisions for passengers with limited mobility. Onabanjo-Kuku said FAAN had brought in two ambulifts, while a ground-handling company had provided another, increasing the equipment available for passengers who require assistance.

The renovated facilities, she added, will incorporate wheelchair-accessible ramps, elevators and improved passenger separation, while flight information systems will cater to travellers with hearing and visual impairments.

“We want to make sure that this is an inclusive project for all of our passengers,” she said.

Travel advisory

FAAN has urged passengers to cooperate with traffic and movement arrangements at the airport. The authority recently connected the Seymour Car Park to Terminal 2 and appealed to motorists to use designated levels and follow directional signs.

The FAAN chief advised passengers to arrive at least three to four hours before their flights during the construction period, check with their airlines for updates and follow instructions from airport personnel.

“We are also making sure that we deploy a lot more people into the airport during that period,” she added.