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Tag: FAAN

  • FAAN to take delivery of ten fire trucks, 14 boarding bridges

    FAAN to take delivery of ten fire trucks, 14 boarding bridges

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, is to take delivery of 10 brand new fire trucks and 14 manufactured passenger boarding bridges before the end of this year.

    Managing Director, FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu who disclosed this at the Airports, Airlines, Business Summit and Expo, AABSE in Lagos said, the deliveries of these equipment are to improve passenger service delivery and better airport experience.

    He said, for the effective handling of these facilities, 15 airports fire and rescue instructors have been trained in the United Kingdom and over 4,500 personnel trained by the Airport Council International, ACI instructors.

    According to him, the Ease of Doing Business geared towards ensuring seamless airport experience is not just facilities alone but also the personnel who manage these facilities for customer satisfaction.

    In line with the theme of the summit: ‘Fixing the Broken Link’ Captain Yadudu said, all noticeable broken links in seamless air transportation system were being addressed with many ongoing projects some of which had been completed and 80% delivered.

    These he listed to the installation of Airfield Ground Lighting System (AGLS) at Lagos Domestic runway, provision of carry-on Baggage Screening machines, hold-on Baggage Screening machines, Cargo Screening machines and 3D Body Scanners.

    The MD FAAN also mentioned the launch of the Aviation Portal for the provision of real-time information to passengers and feedback from them, approval for the establishment of an aviation-based centralized Contact Centre to be operated by FAAN as part of what had been done.

    “The provision of thirty-six (36) customer service work stations, one hundred and twenty (120) office chairs across airports, enabling of cashless policy for departments and agencies involved in the collection of payments for services at the airports.

    “Enabled compliance with single passenger interface by providing the necessary infrastructure for our partner agencies, CBN is assisting in the setting up of an online payment system to enable the full implementation of our Forex cashless policy, Increased security and safety within the airport environment by ensuring constant lighting through the walkways and the car park for the safety and comfort of our airport users”.

    The Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu stressed the need for airlines to remain focused onmaintaining customer trust and pave ways for quick recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Captain Nuhu represented by the Director, Aerodromes and Airspace Standards, DAAS in the NCAA, Mr. Mohammed Odunowo urged the airlines to recognize the role of mobile apps for day-of-travel communications to avoid the problems of delays, cancellations and others associatedwith air travel.

    “Airlines must not display or advertise wrong flight times. In the event of a flight disruption the airline must provide timely information to passengers and live up to their obligation to provide care, refreshments, meal, refund/re-routing on another flight in a timely manner) and in adherence to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2015 Part 19”.

    He also stated that, the airport manager must ensure improvement in the airport ambience, especially in the seating, restrooms, restaurants and shopping areas, check-in counters as these serve as confidence driver and a guarantee that the airport is a safe place for its customer, the passenger.

    “Airlines and airport operators must adopt the use of technology, smartphones etc. touch point kiosks for check-in so as to reducethe cluster of persons around the check-in areas and clearly marked bag drop of zone, parking zones, seating areas, lavatories, Ambulifts and wheelchairs and Keeping all measures in place is certainly a confidence driver and a guarantee that the airport is a safe place for its customer, the passenger”.

  • E-Finger departure screening temporarily closed for maintenance- FAAN

    E-Finger departure screening temporarily closed for maintenance- FAAN

    …diverts traffic to D- Finger

    The E-Finger departure screening point at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos has been temporarily closed to activities to carry out some routine maintenance on the screening machines.

    In a statement, the General Manager, Public Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu says, it has temporarily diverted all human and cargo movement to the D-Finger screening area until the maintenance and upgrade are completed.

    Mrs. Yakubu says, the work is part of their maintenance and upgrade program and appealed to passengers and other airport users to bear with them, as the area will be reopened as soon as possible.

  • Bandits attack FAAN staff quarters at Kaduna airport, abduct staff and their families

    Bandits attack FAAN staff quarters at Kaduna airport, abduct staff and their families

    …FAAN confirms abduction says security beefed up

    The Kaduna airport was attacked by armed bandits who gained access into the airport through the air side early this morning.

    The bandits were said to have moved into the staff quarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, were they abducted some staff of FAAN, Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NiMET and that of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA and their entire family.

    It is not yet clear how many persons have been taken away by the armed bandits but informing reaching us say about 11 persons have been taken away with two houses attacked and heavy exchange of gunfire is ongoing between security forces and the bandits.

    One of the staff say, “kaduna airport quarters under attack, took away some people, very unfortunate, serious exchange still ongoing! Oh Allah come to our rescue”.

    ” The situation is bad and rough, we are under attack others should help us in prayers”.

    Speaking on the attacks, General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu said the attacks happened early this morning and as briefed by the Kaduna Airport Manager, a staff of FAAN, NiMET and NAMA were kidnapped and taken away.

    She said flights into the airport is not affected as an unscheduled flight landed at the airport this morning, adding that security meeting is ongoing.

  • FAAN seals counters of Abuja based domestic airlines

    FAAN seals counters of Abuja based domestic airlines

    over outstanding debts, passengers stranded

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN has sealed off some airline counters in Abuja over debts owed by these airlines. This development left many passengers stranded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport, NAIA, Abuja today.

    Passengers on Azman air to Maiduguri and other places could not buy tickets or even board their flights as staff of the airlines could not complete ticket and boarding formalities as the FAAN task force sealed off the counters.Also affected are aero contractors passengers and many others.

    The counters were sealed according to investigation because the airlines were unwilling to offset their debts despite several entreaties. Some of the domestic airlines are said to be owing FAAN millions from last year and before the covid19 came onboard.

    Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu who confirmed the development said, it was FAAN revenue drive in NAIA. Commenting on the development, stakeholders say they are unhappy with the treatment melted on the passengers as they had to suffer for the failure of the airlines to do the needful.

    One of the stakeholders says, “The passengers were stranded because the airlines failed to pay bills which the customers had already provided funds for.” They also say, the untold hardship suffered by passengers would have been avoided if the airlines had remitted what they collected in behalf of FAAN back to them, adding that FAAN should not be blamed for their action.

    “We have joined to condemn FAAN on occasions of poor service delivery, we should also call out debtor airlines who owe FAAN and not allowing it earn in other to perform its duties. FAAN should just any legal means to collect its monies. Some airlines are chronic debtors. If everybody does their part we will have a functional sector.”

    “Not paying your bills when you have received the funds should not be encouraged either. Much stiffer sanctions could have been applied.” Another stakeholders however blamed this never ending problem of outstanding debts on the attitude of FAAN Management whom he believes are not proactive in dealing with such issues.

    “The problem with our FAAN over the years has been its lackadaisical attitude to revenue collection. Sometimes, it is either the other company claims irregular billing or inaccurate billing or irreconcilable differences in their billing system. FAAN has also failed as much as it had tried to engender Automation in billing and payment system. We have advocated some safety measures severally, but same system. The worst part is the diversion of same funds to private pockets.”

  • Travel stakeholders call for enhanced technology for airlines turnaround performance at airports

    Travel stakeholders call for enhanced technology for airlines turnaround performance at airports

    Stakeholders in airlines and travel agencies have called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to improve and enhance its technology for the new international protocols on check-in procedures for passengers to facilitate the turnaround performance of airlines.


    Speaking on Friday at the Sabre Africa Network Webinar conference with the theme: ‘Understanding Travel Complexities Post-Covid-19:”, Views from the Stakeholders,’  they also charged investors in the travel business to improve on technology deliveries in order to remain relevant post Covid-19 era.


    They stressed that without technology and dissemination of adequate information, the recovery level of air travel in the country would be slow when compared to other countries around the world.


    Country Manager, Cabo Verde airlines, Gbenga Onitilo, said the global travel sector would never remain the same post-Covid-19 virus until vaccines are developed to combat the disease, adding that the advent of coronavirus had reduced capacity for airlines by over 90 per cent, while about 30 million people are directly and indirectly unemployed globally.


    He explained that on resumption of flight operations, no airline would operate beyond 40 to 50 per cent capacity and expressed doubt about the preparation of Nigerian airports towards post-Covid-19 era.


    Mr. Onitilo stressed that airport performance would determine airline’s turnaround performance expressing doubt about the preparation of Nigerian airports towards post-Covid-19 era.


    “Airports will determine aircraft turnaround and not the airlines alone. We don’t know the pre-checking procedures in our airports. Dubai International Airport has embarked on automation process for air travellers, yet, we don’t have information from FAAN and NCAA.”


    “We are not going to return to pre-Covid-19 era again in the way we do our businesses. So far, we have about 600,000 deaths globally, which has brought changes in human interactions. A lot of air travellers are bothered about aviation and the possibility of contracting Covid-19 onboard aircraft.”


    “Everybody is now innovative about taking the business to their customers, even, the airlines are having a lot of shifts. The travel sector can never be the same again until you have the vaccines, which may come in the next 18 months. People have lost jobs and thousands of people are redundant. The protocols of airlines to ensure safety will determine the travel for the future.


    Sales Manager for another regional airline, Mr. Abiola Bakare, however expressed optimism that the travel industry would return to the pre-Covid-19 era in the next two or three years and charged air operators to be ingenious and think out of the box in order to compete post-Covid-19 era, work with Travel Management Companies (TMCs) for improved delivery to clients.


    He also called for harmonised health certificate for all travellers worldwide, saying that people would not travel if they would be isolated for 14 days in any country.


    “Going on 20 days holidays and having to spend the first 15days in isolation will not worth the while.”

    “Covid-19  has come to stay here with us and may end up like a way of life just like malaria, yellow fever and others in Africa. For Air Cote D’Ivoire, passengers would need about three hours to go through the check-in. Even, FAAN in a statement said passengers should expect delays at airports.


    “Air Cote D’Ivoire is putting in a lot of measures to enhance safety in its operations. We will be able to return to pre-Covid-19 pandemic in the next two to three years. People are willing to travel inasmuch as the airports are safe. We are embarking on aircraft sterilisation,” he added.

    On her part, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agency (NANTA), called on travel agency practitioners to equip themselves with more relevant information and charged government to release more necessary information on new procedures to the body for easy transition.


    “The government should stop thinking that we as travel agents will come to ask them for money. What we need is international standards in our operations for the country. People want to travel, but are also careful about safety.”


    Earlier, Director of Operations at Sabre, Mrs. Hannah Ogunsulire  in her opening remarks, decried that the travel industry had been heavily impacted in recent time, while jobs are being lost regularly.
    She hoped that with adherence to international standards on safety, the sector would return stronger.

  • Nigerian Aviation unions threaten strike action over salary

    Nigerian Aviation unions threaten strike action over salary

    The unions in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, have threatened to embark on an industrial action over the proposed reduction in salary payment for the month of May.

    The unions, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, ANAP in a letter addressed to the Managing Director, FAAN today and signed by the scribes of both unions have given FAAN management 24 hours to call for an urgent meeting with the unions to discuss the matter.

    They say industrial harmony will not be guaranteed and the consequences which may follow if the meeting is not called.

    The Management of FAAN had on the 19th of this month in a memo informed the workforce of the agency that due to the dwindling revenue generation amidst COVID19 pandemic, management may not be able to pay full salary to staff as from May 2020 but however assured that as soon as the revenue generation improves, the balance will be paid to ensure the survival of the organization.

    The Secretaries General of the unions, Comrade Abdulrazak Saidu and Comrade Frances Akinjole say, they are amazed and disturbed by the FAAN’s management unilateral decision despite the agreement with the unions that before any decision is taken, they will be carried along.

    According to the letter, the unions say if such affront could be willfully mete out to a component of the staff Conditions of Service, CoS, without the knowledge of the National unions, it portends a possibility of waking up one day to find the the CoS document clandestinely reviewed.

  • COVID-19: FAAN express worry over dwindling revenue

    COVID-19: FAAN express worry over dwindling revenue

    The Management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN has expressed worry over the dwindling revenue of the agency following the continued lockdown due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

    The Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, FAAN, Dr. Clifford Omozeghian, who disclosed this to newsmen monitoring the lockdown at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Ikeja, said, FAAN Management would liaise with the federal government to see how the issue of revenue generation would be addressed to meet up with airport infrastructure challenge.

    Dr. Omozeghian explained that only recently April salaries of FAAN
    workers was paid saying that it was the directive of the federal
    government that workers salaries should be paid and to take care of
    other key critical projects in the aviation industry.

    “Revenue for FAAN has dwindled drastically, management will liaise
    with the Federal Government to see how this issue of revenue
    generation would be taken care of because it may be difficult to pay
    salaries but I know that a fact that with the federal government on
    our side, certain measures will be put in place.

    “Federal Government has said salaries must be paid and that is a key instruction from the FG and that will be taken care of as much as
    possible and that has been done.”

    Dr. Omozeghian noted that with the global problem, the global economy
    is in recession and FAAN is not excluded as it generates its revenue.

    He expressed optimism that the present situation would be quickly
    taken care of so that FAAN would not have issues with the payment of
    salaries and taking care of very key critical projects that are
    essential in the aviation industry.

    The FAAN Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, explained that FAAN
    would continue to provide services to approved airlines during the
    period of lockdown adding that evacuation of nationals of some
    countries have been carried out at various times.

    “We had Europeans, we had Americans, and we had British citizens, citizens of various nationals being evacuated at various times.
    Because we render essential services, some of our key staff has been on ground rendering these services ensuring that these flights and their operations are smooth and there is easy take off and landing and these have been some of the activities we have been carrying out and everything has been smooth.”

    He said the management of FAAN had given out palliatives to essential staff that come to work every day in order to make them happy at this critical time adding that the process of distribution was still ongoing.

  • FAAN explores partnership with Munich Airport, Germany

    FAAN explores partnership with Munich Airport, Germany

    In his determination to reposition and further enhance the management and operational effectiveness of the nation’s airports, the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu has led a high powered delegation of the organisation to Munich Airport, Germany.

    Speaking at the event, Captain Yadudu pointed out that Munich Airport is one of the world’s most successful airports and that the visit was part of the commitment of the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, to ensure that key Airports in Nigeria measure favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world, especially in terms of management, operational efficiency and safety.

    He noted that the move was focused on exploring potentials for developmental partnership with Munich Airport which according to him will go a long way in enhancing FAAN’s performance and service delivery.

    Notable amongst the key officers at the exchange programme was the Director of Human Resources, Mr. Noris Anozie who on his part, disclosed that the program was very key as it has further afforded the organisation the opportunity of exploring modern trends for strategically enhancing the development and deployment of its human capacity for optimal performance in such a dynamic and highly critical industry such as the Aviation.

    The Managing Director of FCI International, Mr. Fortune Idu, who facilitated the Airport Exchange program with Munich Airport, pointed out that the program has exposed the delegation to the intricate workings of a 5 star airport such as Munich.

    He stressed that the exposure will enhance FAAN’s capacity to effectively deliver on its key performance indices through the design and implementation of benchmarking processes that will enable it address developmental operational and safety challenges.

    He noted that he was impressed with the composition of the delegation which comprised of both old and young officers, pointing out that it was a strategic move on the part of the Authority’s Management to ensure mentorship aimed at building critical Manpower necessary for future air transport professionals.

    Mr, Idu therefore commended the Managing Director as well as the Director of Human Resources for their purposeful initiative in ensuring the implementation and success of the program.

    Amongst the delegation were various Airport Managers including Mr. Sani Liko, the Airport Manager of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, which won the 2019 NIGAV Best Airport Award.

  • FG acquires new anti-wildlife equipment for airports

    FG acquires new anti-wildlife equipment for airports

    The Federal Government has acquired new anti birds equipment for airports to ensure Flight safety.

    Statistics from the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO, show that globally over 3.6 per cent of flight incidences are traceable to bird strike and other wildlife hazards.

    Director of Operations, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Captain Muktar Muye who disclosed this at the symposium on Reduction on wildlife strike hazard at Nigerian airports said, the equipment called Phonix bird wailers would be shipped into the country in few weeks and deployed to the four major airports in the country.

    According to him, the Phoenix bird Wailer deters birds from airport runways and helipads, using high-fidelity natural alarm and distress calls together with local raptor calls.

    He emphasized that increased traffic and growing bird population near airports together raises the risk of bird-aircraft collision.
    According to him, data from ICAO shown that 89% of bird strikes occur near or on the aerodrome.

    Captain Muye stated that the responsibility for the elimination of collision hazard fell on the airport operators, adding that FAAN was working with the regulatory agency to develop and implement a wildlife management plan for each airport which includes training of personnel to manage the programme.

    He, however, noted that the onus was on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA to put in place appropriate legislation and regulations to address the safety concerns including those related to land use around the aerodrome.

    “Airline Operations are complex and operating cost is high. Time is one of the most valuable commodities and schedules are finely turned to ensure on Tim performance. Striving to achieve this, flight crew are constantly weighing safety and economics”.

  • FAAN working to address passengers challenges at airports, as SERVICOM calls for rebranding

    FAAN working to address passengers challenges at airports, as SERVICOM calls for rebranding

    The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Captain Hamisu Yadudu has applauded the efforts of the Service department of the agency in creating a friendly business environment.


    He observed that this had helped in growing customer confidence, enlightened many and also resolved some passengers challenges as they arrive the airport in a timely, reliable, honest, transparent and efficient manner.


    Declaring open the SERVICOM and Customer Service Department retreat in Owerri, Captain Yadudu said the department had worked to ensure through sensitization and awareness campaigns to reduce passengers stressful airport experience, frustration and complaints.

    These experience, Captain Yadudu listed to include, “long queues and wait time for check in, security checks, customs, immigration, baggage claims, inadequate parking space at the carparks.”


    The FAAN helmsman represented by the Director Operations Captain Muktar Muye emphasized that the service department had put measures in place to ameliorate these prolonged passenger facilitation beyond the recommended forty-five minutes timeline.

    Muktar Mute, Director Operations FAAN


    “The Customer Service Department has deployed suggestion boxes, common user- telephony systems and as well as created customer front desk with trained personnel, to ease both internal and external customer in case of Service failures.”


    He added, ” Feedback mechanisms with the use of questionaires, surveys, mystery shopping etc are also utilized by the department to ascertain both negative and positive feeling which are dealt with appropriately.”


    He stated the forum which is interactive would enable the staff of the SERVICOM department re-energize, refocus on giving back, evaluate their activities for the past year and also analyse service rendered and draw up modalities for improvement.


    General Manager, SERVICOM and Customer Service Department, Mrs Ebele Okoye in her address of welcome harped on effective and constant Communication, stressing that Management most carry the whole team along in its thought, process, action s and implementation.


    She also called on the management in concert with SERVICOM and other experienced consultants to rebrand the organization, review the vision and mission of the agency in line with trending options globally and update the values.

    GM SERVICOM/Customer Service department FAAN, Mrs. Ebele Okoye

    Others are,” Create achievable goals and objectives, constitute a committee on re-branding, involve experienced consultants in this new assignment, upgrade our Operational technology, train more staff and influence the change we need as members of a global industry.”


    Mrs. Okoye noted that this cannot be achieved within the short term but efforts must begin post haste to be abreast of global best practices.
    She also stressed that the issues of corruption and the removal and reduction in the human interface must urgently be tackled.


    “Corruption or fradulent conduct by those in positions of authority, typically involving bribery has become endemic in our society. Corruption is the abuse of high levels of power for personal gain.”

    ” The Federal Government needs to revisit that Executive Order (EO) and ensure strict adherence. This interface has hurt Nigerian airports ranking and kept Nigerian airports at the bottom of the ranking.”


    The retreat is titled: “One  Vision, One Team, No Barriers, It Starts with You


    In attendance at the Director Business Development, FAAN, Alhaji Rafiu Rafindadi, Coordinator SERVICOM in the Presidency Mrs. Nnenna Akajemile and staff of Customer Service Department in FAAN across airports in the country and other participants.

  • FAAN Boss Calls For Attitudinal Change In Aviation Sector

    FAAN Boss Calls For Attitudinal Change In Aviation Sector

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu has appealed to stakeholders in the Nigeria’s aviation sector to come up with the right attitude so as to achieve the desired developments in the industry.

    Capt. Yadudu who spoke at the launch of a book titled “Troubled Skylines, Travails of Nigerian Commercial Aviation” by Group Captain John Ojikutu stated that it is not enough to have people with intelligence and that what is more important is to have people with the right attitude.

    Yadudu advised stakeholders to endevour to fix their attitudes so that they can be led to the right commitments that would eventually lead to great achievements.

    Yadudu identified the biggest challenge in the industry to be partisanship. He therefore, advised that all stakeholders should start working together to fix their attitude so as to show an example in the aviation industry.

    While admonishing critics to come up with constructive criticisms, the FAAN boss equally urged airlines, pilots, ground handlers, government agencies and other stakeholders to work together and also try as much as possible to be open to constructive criticisms.

    He said that, it is educated people and people with experience with high pedigree are the ones causing problem in Nigeria.

    According to him, once a professional has partisan inclinations, that undermines professionalism, stressing that, this is the more reason countries lesser in terms of resources and human beings doing much greater than what Nigeria is doing.

    He said “So I think ART and all other stakeholders should start, behind the scene to coordinate a kind of program and initiative that will see that Nigerian aviation coordinate as one, work as one and achieve as one.

    “Without proper coordination, it will never happen; we will sit as one after another book written by Group Captain Ojikutu or any other person and keep on lamenting. But let’s take charge. Let’s do the right thing, after all; when you write a book, it is a sign that you have intelligence, so with your intelligence let’s coordinate our actions”.

    Let’s not act according to stereotype. Let’s start working to fix our problems; let’s not reserve our lamentations for when we are launching books, when we are doing conferences, when we are going to different locations”.

    He suggested that stakeholders in the aviation industry should have a committee, made up of senior people to coordinate other stakeholders and to ensure that the industry is talking as one.

  • Coronavirus: FAAN urges travelers to comply with Health checks at Airports

    Coronavirus: FAAN urges travelers to comply with Health checks at Airports

    In an effort to protect passengers from the Coronavirus epidemic ravaging some countries in  South East Asia, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has  urged  passengers and other airport users to comply with all quarantine procedures at the nation’s airports.

    FAAN said the new move became necessary to prevent the spread of such communicable disease into Nigeria.

    In a statement, the General Manager,  Public Affairs,  Mrs Henrietta Yakubu said the authority had already taken proactive steps by ensuring that  equipment and personnel used in combatting the deadly Ebola virus in 2014 were still   in place at airports.

    According to her, FAAN had  always had thermal scanners in her airports that monitors the  temperature of passengers as well as  capture their pictures.

    She said, “When passengers walk pass the scanner, it registers their temperature and If too high, they are pulled aside for observation.”

    Recently, a deadly virus known as CORONAVIRUS broke out in China and has since killed six people, with over 300 reportedly infected.

    The highly communicable virus  has already spread to border countries including  Japan, Thailand and South Korea.

    Mrs Yakubu said: “The Authority, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, have  confirmed the adequacy of the facilities at the nation’s airports to prevent the importation of the virus through the airports.

    “Passengers are therefore advised to submit themselves for routine quarantine checks  whenever they are asked to.”