Lagos Airports: MMIA and MMA2

Lagos, Nigeria's primary economic hub, is served by a dual-terminal airport complex centered on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), which is the nation's busiest and most important aviation gateway. MMIA, officially designated by the IATA code LOS, is situated in Ikeja and is crucial for both global connectivity and domestic travel within Nigeria. The complex operates with two distinct terminals the International Terminal and a major domestic terminal, Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) that are physically separated by about one kilometer but share the same runways. This arrangement underscores Lagos’s vital role as a key transport and logistics nerve center for West Africa.

​The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) is the primary terminal that handles all long-haul and regional international traffic into and out of Nigeria. Named after the former military Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, it was initially a World War II-era airfield, with the current modern international terminal officially opened in 1979. The MMIA terminal is operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and hosts a vast array of major global airlines, connecting Lagos to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and other parts of Africa. It serves as the face of Nigerian aviation to the world, making its infrastructure and operational efficiency a matter of national importance.

​Contrasting the government-operated international gateway is the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), which is a key domestic terminal for Lagos and represents a significant example of private-sector participation in Nigerian infrastructure. MMA2 was constructed and is managed under a Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) concession agreement by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited. Commissioned in 2007, it replaced the old domestic terminal (which was formerly the Ikeja Airport) and was a major step forward in airport modernization in Nigeria. It handles a significant portion of Lagos’s domestic air traffic, connecting the state to major Nigerian cities like Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano.

​MMA2 is distinguished by its modern technological innovations and improved passenger experience, setting a higher standard for domestic air travel in Nigeria. The terminal has the capacity to facilitate millions of passengers annually and introduced several advanced features to the Nigerian aviation sector. These include the implementation of a Common Users Passenger Processing System (CUPPS), self-service check-in kiosks, automated access gates, and a Baggage Reconciliation System (BRS). These modern facilities are designed to enhance security, improve operational efficiency, and provide a world-class travel experience for domestic passengers, distinguishing it as one of the best domestic airports in the region.

Despite their distinct operational roles and management structures MMIA for international and MMA2 for predominantly domestic travel both terminals are critical components of the same aviation hub, sharing the airport's runways and overall airspace. This integration highlights the volume and complexity of air traffic passing through Lagos, which serves as a vital gateway for commerce, tourism, and business activities that drive the Nigerian economy. The continuous development, reform, and efficient operation of both MMIA and MMA2 remain central to maintaining Lagos's position as a dominant commercial and travel hub in West Africa.