Delta reschedules flights over Lagos terminal relocation

Delta Airlines has announced the rescheduling of its daily Lagos to Atlanta flight over the relocation of airline operators to the New International Terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had in September directed all airlines to relocate from the airport by October 1, 2023. However, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, relocated some international airlines to the new terminal which was opened in March 2022.

In a notice to travellers issued on Monday, Delta said, “Due the Lagos airport terminal relocation and challenges arising, please be advised that effective 04 October 2023, our Delta flights will depart from Lagos at 1:00pm daily and arrive Atlanta by 8:55pm (same day).”

It was revealed that check-in would commence by 7:00 a.m. and end two hours before departure.

The relocation of foreign airlines had resulted in flight disruptions after baggage belt failures at the new terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, which forced airlines to delay and cancel flights. Passengers also spent hours in queues to check in and pass through security checks.

The new terminal, built by the Federal Government with loans from China, had remained underutilised until September 6 when FAAN ordered over a dozen international airlines to vacate the MMA international terminal to the place.