Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport: Q1 2026 Airline Capacity Analysis

Introduction

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the primary international gateway to Nigeria and the busiest airport in the West African region, recorded a total of 2,329,005 airline seats in the first quarter of 2026, according to AeroTrail tracking. This represents an average of approximately 25,877 daily seats, underscoring the airport’s central role in regional and intercontinental connectivity.

January emerged as the strongest month with 815,535 seats, followed by March (771,045 seats) and February trailing slightly. Overall, capacity levels remained relatively stable throughout the quarter, reflecting operational resilience despite ongoing global geopolitical tensions, including those in the Middle East.

At the daily level, 8 February 2026 recorded the highest seat capacity at 32,221 seats, while 1 January registered the lowest volume at 17,615 seats, likely reflecting reduced travel demand during New Year celebrations—particularly within the domestic market.