By Ghazali Ibrahim 
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the closure of the 3.9km Runway 18R/36L at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for rehabilitation work.
The closure, scheduled for March 3 and 4, 2025, comes just two weeks after the runway was reopened following an almost 11-month maintenance shutdown.
According to a memo from FAAN’s Head of Operations, Mrs. J.U. Nwosu, the closure is necessary due to the protruding construction equipment at the A2 Taxiway-link of the runway, which poses a potential hazard to landing and departing aircraft.
During this period, the alternative runway 18L/36R will be in active use.
FAAN has advised all technical departments to constantly inspect facilities that may be affected by the closure, including grass management, security, and 24-hour surveillance.
This is not the first time the runway has been closed for maintenance.
In March 2023, FAAN temporarily closed the international runway 18R/36L for maintenance, which was initially scheduled to last eight weeks but extended beyond the expected timeframe.
The repeated closures have caused disruptions to air traffic and airline schedules, with both international and domestic airlines operating on the alternative runway 18L/36R.
However, with the reopening of Links 2 and 3 of the taxiway, international airlines now have an alternative route alongside runway 18L/36R.
