Flight operations at the domestic terminal of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport have been disrupted following a technical fault affecting baggage screening equipment, triggering delays and extended processing times for passengers.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the malfunction has significantly slowed standard baggage screening and loading procedures, creating a backlog that has impacted multiple departing flights. Passengers have experienced longer waiting times at check-in and boarding points as the system struggles to handle normal traffic volumes.
To manage the situation, airport authorities activated backup screening protocols using alternative equipment to sustain operations. However, the workaround has introduced additional layers of manual checks and verification, further prolonging turnaround times for aircraft and contributing to schedule disruptions across the domestic network.
Airlines operating from the terminal have also been affected, with some forced to delay departures while ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Operators say they are working closely with FAAN to manage passenger flow and minimise the knock-on impact on flight schedules.
Ground handling teams and customer service personnel have been fully mobilised within the terminal to support affected travellers, provide updates, and prioritise time-sensitive flights. Announcements are being made regularly to keep passengers informed as the situation evolves.
FAAN said technical teams are working urgently with relevant service providers to diagnose and fix the fault, with efforts focused on restoring full screening capacity as quickly as possible. The authority reiterated that safety remains paramount and that no aircraft will depart without completing all required screening procedures.
Passengers have been advised to arrive earlier than usual for their flights, remain attentive to airline communications, and exercise patience as authorities work to resolve the disruption and return operations to normal.
