LAGOS TO GET NEW AIRPORT.

The Lekki Airport

When the only international airport in Lagos State; Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), was built, Ikeja was a suburb of Lagosand not the bustling commercial centre it is today. All the neighbourhoods and communities around the airport, like Oshodi, Isolo,Mafoluku have become heavily built up and highly populated. These lead to sporadic and disruptive traffic congestions. Despite the fact that the Lagos State government has made heroic efforts to make the Oshodi
access to the airport better by clearing the Kaiyero Market area,there is still traffic leading up to the airport itself, especially at peak hours in the morning and evening.

This scenario and several other factors like the number of passengers flying in and out of Lagos (5million per year) have made the need for another airport in Lagos State imperative, in anticipation of further economic growth in the state. The Lagos State Government established the Lagos Airport Development Company (LADC) solely for the purpose of managing the development of the proposed Lekki Airport with a primary
objective of complementing and supporting the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).

Forward thinking as usual, the Governor through the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry is developing a masterplan for the new international airport to be built by the state in Lekki. The new airport is expected to cost $600million and will be built adjacent to the 16,500 hectare Lekki free trade zone to further catalyse the
ongoing development of the southeast region of the State.
The Lekki corridor is considered one of the most dynamic future growth areas in Nigeria. The new airport will provide much needed facilities for air passengers travelling to or via Lagos and also ease congestion at the MMIA.

The Lekki Airport is a complex project, which is why the state government engaged the best international consultants available to develop the Lekki Airport Master Plan. The study will be completed in four (4) separate stages and each stage requires approval from the Lagos State Government before proceeding to the next level.

The first stage comprises of the client’s brief; establishment of the project team; visit to the proposed site; air traffic analysis and critique for passengers and cargo; planning parameters and key facilities; yardstick measurements and airport schematics; development of airfield layout options and evaluation options and assessment.
During the second stage of the master plan, the team wrote about the passenger terminal sizing; concepts and assessment; preferred airfield and terminal options; architectural treatment options; conclusions and recommendations; development budget estimate; strategic programme options and procurement options.
For stage 3, the team will develop selected options; landside access –road & rail; prepare phasing strategy, amongst others.
The fourth and last stage will include the creation of a 3D model;presentation material; final master plan report and presentation to Governor Fashola and Lagos State Government team and the Master Plan study approval.

The Master Plan is currently at stage 3 is due to be completed by June this year. The Governor expects the airport to be operational by 2013.