Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos

CometonigeriaMay 17, 2013

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Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos

Located in Lagos, Murtala Muhammed International Airport is Nigeria’s most popular airport and it has two terminals – international and domestic terminal, located about one kilometre from each other.

The domestic operations were relocated to the old Lagos domestic terminal in 2000 after a fire. A new domestic privately funded terminal known as MMA2 has been constructed and was commissioned on 7 April 2007.

The airport’s code is LOS and it is the busiest airport in Nigeria. It is also known by other names such as Murtala Muhammed airport, LOS airport, Ikeja airport and Nigeria airport.

Airport history and overview

Built during World War II, Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, was then under West African Airways Corporation formed in 1947 and had its main base at Ikeja.

The airport was originally known as Lagos International Airport before it was renamed Muritala Mohammed International Airport in the mid 1970s, during construction of the new international terminal.

The airport was named after Late General Murtala Ramat Muhammed who was a military Head of States from 1975 until his assassination in an unsuccessful Coup D’état in 1976.

The international terminal which was officially opened in 1979, was modelled after Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and it opens 24 hours daily while the domestic terminal opens 16 hours daily. It is the main base for Nigeria’s flag carrier airlines, Aero and Arik Air.

There are around 40 airlines that fly from Lagos to over 60 destinations worldwide, carrying more 20 million passengers every year. Carriers Arik Air, Nigeria Airlines and Aero Contractors have a hub here.

The airport provides basic facilities for the travellers, so do not expect the same level of services as in Europe or USA, but they are quickly catching up.

About Ikeja

The airport is located in Ikeja, a popular suburb of Lagos city of and the capital of Lagos State. Ikeja is also one of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Ikeja is a home to several top-class hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Femi Kuti’s New Africa Shrine and Lagbaja’s Motherlan, both live music venues, are also located in Ikeja. It’s also boasts of a shopping mall, Ikeja City Mall, which is the largest mall in the Lagos mainland and also has a cinema.

Getting there and around

Public transport is sometimes poorly organised and some of the roads are not in great condition (usually with long traffic jams). If you are not a good driver or If you are not used to drive on the right side of road than we recommend taking a taxi or renting a car.

You will find yellow taxis outside of the passenger terminal at the arrivals and departures area. It takes 30-60 minutes to get from the airport to the city of Lagos.

If you are travelling for the first time, it will make your journey easier if you can arrange with a local to pick you up from the airport. Most of the hotels operate airport shuttle. Please request and make an arrangement with your hotel ahead of your journey to the country.