News Wings

Tag: Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria

  • Feature: Economic Insensitivity: The Arbitrary Spike in the Parking Rate at MM2

    Feature: Economic Insensitivity: The Arbitrary Spike in the Parking Rate at MM2

    by Olutayo Irantiola

    Recently, the parking rate at the Multi-Storey Car Park at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) and managed by Balosh, was arbitrarily increased. Overnight parking, which used to be six thousand naira (N6,000) only, was increased to fifty thousand naira (N50,000) only. What is the mathematical rationale for this type of increase?

    In 2021, Balosh, the company managing the toll system within the airport, was engaged by the Lagos State Government and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and it almost resorted into a crisis within the hospital premises because one would not be able to explain the rationale for having a patient in the hospital, and one would be charged for car park.

    Nigerians are unable to commute by road, train, or even the waterways. Despite the rising cost of all modes of commuting, one is now confronted with an unjustified increase in airport parking rates.

    With the rising cost of house rent cum accommodation in Lagos, people have moved to various suburbs of Lagos. When they have a reason to travel, the most cost-effective option is to get their vehicle to the airport, park it, travel to their destination, and return to their vehicle to get home within 3-4 days. When it was N6,000, everyone assumed that it was affordable and safe to keep their cars at the airport. Similar to what happens at the jetties and train stations.

    The rising cost of JetA1 has been attributed to the rising cost of air ticket which is almost beyond the reach of an average Nigerian; the rising cost of PMS (Petrol) at this time when Iran and US war is ongoing has made people abandoned their cars while app hailing taxi services are ‘cutting’ people’s heads off while the regular airport taxi call unfriendly rates to the already overtaxed Nigerian that has not gotten an increase in salary despite the galloping inflation.

    Further rationalising this increase, it seems that the airport authority is now competing with the airlines- if one can afford a N300,000 return ticket, then one can also afford a N150,000 for a three-day parking at the airport. This is not a fair deal for Nigerian travellers who are working hard to travel by air, given the imminent fear of what could go wrong on the road.

    Can one liken the increase to a collaboration between the taxi unions and the airport to rip people off of their hard-earned money? What this means is that for anyone who cannot afford parking at the airport, you will be forced to use a taxi that is ‘seemingly’ above the law, which is in connivance with the private operator of the airport. The enforcement team at MM2 would never clamp taxis, but they aim at private vehicles that are forced to use the car park, regardless of how many minutes one wants to use at the airport.

    Beyond the exorbitant rate introduced by the airport operator for the car park, they are also on the case of on-demand, multi-category delivery platform riders who pick up food items from restaurants within the airport. This wanton drive for revenue will kill more businesses than build a thriving economy.

    Beyond the few excuses given by the operators of the car park and the airport. Nigerians need organisations that are empathetic and can feel the pulse of the people. With the current rate, it means anyone without a driver cannot live a simple life of fueling his car at over a thousand naira per litre, drive to the airport, keep his car and return joyfully to Lagos with the intent of driving home. This is another way of destroying the middle class in Nigeria. If you engage a friend, sibling or acquaintance without a license to drive your car away from the airport, and such a person runs into the VIO or FRSC, the problem becomes complicated.

    It is expedient for the airport operators to devise a strategy to identify actual travellers, which should be based solely on their boarding passes and means of identification. For those whose boarding passes and tally slips given at the car park entrance can be matched, they should be given a concession. They can deal decisively with other vehicles parked without justification. But making the car park rate unaffordable to the common man should not be allowed to stay.

    There is no moral justification for overnight parking, let alone moving from 6,000 to 50,000! I will want to implore the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku and other government agencies to please look into the matter and reduce the hardship being experienced by Nigerian travellers who need to park at MM2.

    Olutayo Irantiola is a PR Consultant based in Lagos, Nigeria

  • Emirates makes its much-awaited official touchdown to Lagos, Nigeria

    Emirates makes its much-awaited official touchdown to Lagos, Nigeria

    Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has resumed passenger services to Lagos, Nigeria, with a daily service.

    The official delegation onboard was led by Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Central Asia; David Broz, Senior Vice President of Aeropoliticaland Airline Industry Affairs and Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President Emirates Airport Services Outstation and Business Support.

    The official delegation from Nigeria onboard the flight included His Excellency, Festus Keyamo, Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria; His Excellency, Zayyan Ibrahim, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and Adewale Babatunde Awolesi, Head of Chancery, Consulate General of Nigeria.

    Soon after landing, the airline hosted an exclusive event for VIPs, government officials, key representatives from Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Customs, Police and the Airforce, as well as trade and industry partners and corporate clients.

    Commenting on the return of services, Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline said, “This has been a long-awaited moment, and we are excited to resume operations to Lagos, helping reconnect travellers seamlessly to and through Dubai, coupled with a consistent, world-class experience onboard.

    We would like to thank the Nigerian authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, as well as the UAE authorities including His Excellency Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Abuja, Nigeria and His Excellency Dr Abdulla Almandoos, Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in Lagos, for their support.

    “We are committed to making this route a success and look forward to contributing to the Nigerian aviation industry’s growth and offering travellers and businesses more choice and connectivity to key destinations across our network.”

    His Excellency, Festus Keyamo, Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria said: “We are pleased to welcome Emirates back to Nigeria. Emirates has become a global brand and Nigeria, being the most populous black nation in the world, is the sure destination for all major airlines in the world.

    “So, this is a mutually beneficial relationship and we look forward to many years of seamless operations for the designated airlines of both countries to ply the route.”

    EK783 departs Dubai at 0945hrs, arriving in Lagos at 1520hrs; the return flight EK784 takes off from Lagos at 1730hrs and lands in Dubai at 0510hrs the following day. The daily service has been scheduled to optimise connections to and from key points in Europe, the US, the Far East and the wider Middle East and GCC, streamlining business and leisure travel to and from Nigeria.

    Strengthening business links between UAE and Nigeria
    With the resumption of operations to Lagos, Emirates provides frictionless connectivity to one of Africa’s major economic hubs, facilitating global trade and strengthening business ties, in line with the UAE and Nigeria’s strong bilateral trade relations.

    Emirates SkyCargo will support Nigerian businesses by offering more than 300 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity in and out of Lagos every week, into key markets such as UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Bahrain, among others.

    Anticipated commodities such as Kola Nuts, food and beverages, and urgent courier material will be transported via the airline’s state-of-the-art hub in Dubai, quickly, efficiently, and reliably via the airline’s multi-vertical specialized product portfolio. Imports into Nigeria are anticipated from key markets such as UAE, India and Hong Kong, with key commodities including a mix of general cargo, pharmaceuticals and electronics.

    The Dubai-Lagos service is operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, offering eight First class suites, 42 Business class seats and 304 economy class seats, with added comforts and perks in each cabin class. Emirates is one of only two airlines offering First Class in and out of Lagos, and offers an unrivalled experience with luxurious touches, a premium gastronomic selection of dishes and fine beverages, and one of the biggest screens in the sky, all in the midst of comfort and privacy.

    Offering the best experience across every class, passengers will dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus, complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages. Customers can tune in to over 6,500 channels of global entertainment, including 23 Nigerian movies, series and other content on ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system.

    To support travel to Dubai or onwards, Emirates will also facilitate 48 hour and 96 hour Dubai visa applications for travellers from Nigeria, an offer which is exclusive to the airline.

    Celebrating the resumption of services, Emirates award-winning loyalty programme, Skywards, reinstated previous tier status levels for Skywards members to ensure continuation of earned benefits and recognition.

  • 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”.

  • China Air Peace launch: “Expect best-in-class flight experience”…COO

    China Air Peace launch: “Expect best-in-class flight experience”…COO

    Air Peace has again made history with the commencement of flights to the continent of Asia, Guangzhou-China.

    The inaugural flight had 240 passengers onboard operated with the airline’s Boeing 777.

    According to the Chief Operating officer, Air Peace, Oluwatoyin Olajide at the inaugural launch, the flying public, especially those that fly the Guangzhou route, should expect a best-in-class flight experience, which is characteristic of the Air Peace brand.

    The Air Peace COO emphasized that Air Peace is not new to the Chinese airspace as it is familiar with it and had successfully operated several evacuations, and special flights to the country at different times in the past, especially in 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown.

    “We’re going into China, not as newcomers, but as an airline that is technically and operationally acclimatized with the Chinese terrain.  We’re not stopping with Guangzhou- India is next and Israel is in the works”.

    She stated that, with this feat, Air Peace has kept to its vision of providing seamless connections and expanding its existing network to accommodate the evolving air travel needs of the flying public.

    “When we set out for the Air Peace trajectory in 2014, we envisaged an airline that would predominantly do two things: create massive employment for Nigerians and reduce the burden of air travel for Nigerians, and by extension, Africans, through the provision of affordable and peaceful connectivity across cities and continents”.

    Olajide also disclosed that plans are underway for a subsequent launch to Malabo in Equatorial Guinea and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

    “We will continue to grow our route network as well as modernise our fleet strategically. Air Peace currently boasts of a network of twenty domestic routes, seven regional routes and two international destinations, including Dubai and Johannesburg”.

    She thanked the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Ministry of Aviation, the Chinese government, partners, and other stakeholders for making the China launch possible. 

    “We promise to work harmoniously with all relevant aviation actors to ensure this new route is maximised”. 

  • Feature- Faction and Stream of Consciousness in Teju Cole’s Every Day Is for the Thief

    Feature- Faction and Stream of Consciousness in Teju Cole’s Every Day Is for the Thief

    Publication Date: 2007, 2014

    Pagination: 162

    Publisher: Random House

    Reviewer: Olutayo Irantiola

    Reading through the pages of “Every Day is for the Thief”, all I see is a semblance of realities that had happened to various people and families spread across the commercial city of Nigeria. From the regular street brawls to the challenges that people face at clearing goods at the ports amongst others, the text is full of various incidences that a Nigerian can relate to in his daily life.

    Many of the sub-themes in the text that is largely centered on the corrupt tendencies in the country, Nigeria, are evident on the streets. The desire of the unknown narrator to re-experience all that he saw as a young lad before leaving Nigeria for the United States of America 15 years earlier made the book quite fascinating.

    The known names in the text range from President Olusegun Obasanjo; Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, and areas such as the Lagos Island- MUSON Centre, The National Museum, Ojodu, Opebi, China Town, Ikorodu Road, etc. Equally, the mention of specific events that can be verified such as the Chachangi and Bellview Airline plane crashes would refresh the memories of a Lagosian or a Nigeria. All of these attest to the novella as a work of faction. As defined, a faction is a form of literature or filmmaking that treats real people or events as if they were fictional or uses real people or events as essential elements in an otherwise fictional rendition.

    With the current campaign of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) against bribery and extortion by the officers at the airports across the country, Nigerians have not given up on collecting bribes and this has led many to lose their jobs for peanuts. Similarly, the ports are full of corrupt tendencies which delay the clearance of goods and wares. These have led Nigerians to pay for demurrage on their consignments.

    Another issue that one can relate to in the book is the avalanche of books at the CMS (CSS Bookshop); the dearth of books in Nigeria is becoming worrisome. Great books do not have a space in the bookstores; when the University of Lagos bookshop seems deprived of such books, what is the fate of new publications? Piracy has continued to thrive and it has almost suffocated the music industry, as well. They are left to patronize pirates at the expense of creative musicians. At this point in history, people like Kunle Tejuoso of Jazzhole and other notable few ones have come to the rescue.

    Another notable thing that I can see in the text is the permeation of the Stream of Consciousness narrative technique as typified in the writings of Virginia Woolf. It is a style or technique of writing that tries to capture the natural flow of a character’s extended thought process, often by incorporating sensory impressions, incomplete ideas, unusual syntax, and rough grammar.

    Stream of consciousness is used primarily in fiction and poetry, but the term has also been used to describe plays and films that attempt to visually represent a character’s thoughts. It allows readers to “listen in” to a character’s thoughts. The technique often involves the use of language in unconventional ways in an attempt to replicate the complicated pathways that thoughts take as they unfold and move through the mind. In short, it’s the use of language to mimic the “streaming” nature of “conscious” thought. 

    In this style of writing, writers transition between ideas using loose connections that are often based on a character’s personal experiences and memories. It seeks to portray the actual experience of thinking, in all its chaos and distraction. Stream of consciousness is not just an attempt to relay a character’s thoughts, but to make the reader experience those thoughts in the same way that the character is thinking them.

    As a Cultural advocate, I will like to say that the Yoruba phrases in the book are not well-written because Yoruba is a tonal language and inscribing the tonal marks would convey the real meaning of the words; although the translation/transliteration of the phrases are in the text. When we are writing Yoruba, it needs to be written with precision.

    We all have a part to play in making Nigeria, a nation of our dream- as a Nigerian based in Nigeria and those in the diaspora. Where do we stand in changing the narrative for the generation yet unborn?

    Olutayo Irantiola is a Public Relations Specialist; Creative and Ghost writer; cultural, literary and historical aficionado based in Lagos, Nigeria. He is the Atọ́kùn of Yorùbá Lákọ̀tun. He blogs on www.peodavies.com

  • NAMA’s Director of Finance and Accounts dies

    NAMA’s Director of Finance and Accounts dies

    Mr. Aniefiok Umoh, the Director of Finance and Accounts of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has died on Sunday, the 8th of August, 2021, after a brief illness.

    A native of Akwa Ibom State, late Aniefiok Umoh, was attended Accra Polytechnic, and Methodist University College, both in Ghana, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accounting and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting respectively. He started his banking career in 1977, with the then Barclays Bank of Nigeria (now Union Bank). He later transferred his services to MedAfrica Shipping Line, Lagos in 1985 as an accountant.

    The late Umoh held a number of leadership positions at corporate levels in some blue-chip organizations. For instance, he was an Executive Director, Astraeus Airline, Ghana for over 9 years and Finance Director, Air Chartered Services, also in Ghana.

    Umoh was appointed Director, Finance and Accounts (DFA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in 2017. Prior to this time, he was General Manager, Accounts, at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    Upon assumption of office in NAMA, Umoh brought his rich experience in finance to bear as he ensured that the agency’s accounting practices met statutory requirements and were in tandem with professional standards. His stint at the agency was responsible for the implementation of financial strategies including accuracy, transparency and timeliness of financial disclosures, critical to management business plan development.

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) hereby uses this opportunity to appreciate everyone for your prayers, support and words of encouragement all through this trying period. While we mourn his painful exit, it is worthy of note that Mr Umoh lived a good life and we take solace in the fact that he has gone to be with his creator. He is survived by his wife and children.

     

  • Air Safety under threats as ATCs lament deplorable state of towers, equipment, illegal recruitment

    Air Safety under threats as ATCs lament deplorable state of towers, equipment, illegal recruitment

    If there is anything, the Air Traffic Controllers in Nigeria will like the Federal Government to do for them, it is to relieve them of the stress they go through on a daily basis in trying to ensure safe air navigation in the country.

    This stress they say comes from the deplorable state of their working environment, that is the control tower and the dilapidated facilities they work with.

    The President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA, Abayomi Agoro who lamented in an interview with journalists say, many control towers like the ones in Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto Calabar, and elsewhere do not have chairs for controllers to sit and do their jobs, washrooms to obey the call of nature and in some cases leaking roofs and the personnel have to use umbrellas to protect them from the rain and sun.

    “Calabar is a serious deplorable state, even though, we heard the management is looking to put things in order”.

    “Katsina today when you have a one-man watch and there is no facility for him to go and ease himself. He is a human being, just to urinate, are we saying he is going to get a bottle to urinate? Or descend the tower? If he descends, he is in breach of his professional ethics. So, what do you expect that person to do?

    In Katsina, no restroom was provided, nothing, we are not just making claims, all these are verifiable these are facts that are there. Also, you mentioned Kano, Kano has a fine building and that is all. The facility inside unfortunately is a failure”.

    He explained that even buildings called control towers were not really towers but watch rooms meant for other aviation personnel where ATCs have to manage to ensure safe air navigation.

    “As I am talking to you now, some airports do not even have functioning equipment. Even, the Kaduna we are talking about, Kaduna does not have a control tower that they are using there is a watch room (for fire fighters), which is not built for that purpose and we have been calling on the government to do something. We go to Sokoto, once it rains today, controllers will go to look for umbrellas to sit at the control tower and what is it, some of the control towers attached to the terminal buildings some were ceded to FAAN, while those standing alone were with NAMA, but we have approached the two organization. The lift too, NAMA will be waiting for FAAN to put it in order, FAAN will say is it our staff that is working there and that is simply due to bureaucracy and you now discover controllers will continue to suffer”.

    “We are still battling with terrestrial radio frequency, communication here and there. Calabar is there; there is no airport you will go to today that you would say things are working 80 percent”.

    Apart from the above, Agoro says, Communication facilities were also an issue as the controllers were currently grappling with terrestrial frequency, Communication among others.

    He emphasized that the icing on the cake of these numerous problems was the recruitment of persons not qualified or fit for the ATC job by the Human Resources in NAMA, without following due process, alleging that the HR in NAMA had hijacked the process to bring people from a particular area of the country, a development he described as inimical to air safety and can dampen the morale of other ATCs.

    “To be an ATC, there are two critical things there: your technical knowledge and your fair attitude. But, we find it so disheartening to hear that NAMA has arranged a recruitment exercise in which we, as an associate are not even aware of it.

    The recruitment of ATCs has a due process to follow. First, you place an advert and where you don’t place, you ensure that you make the information go round as much as possible, so that people can apply. Then, they will now go for what we call technical evaluation and other assessments. From there, you select the best of them. In this case, we only heard that 40 people were shortlisted. Who are these people?”.

    Then, who are the people that are supposed to be in charge of recruitment of ATCs? It is not the duty of NAMA HR, it is the duty of the professionals, the directorate in charge. How do you expect somebody who does not know anything about a profession to now be the one to recruit, to source it, is it because now recruitment of ATC is no longer casualized?.

    “Today, they do all kinds of things and go and meet people in Abuja, they have a space to employ people and they do all kinds of things, which is very dangerous to safety”.

    He adds, “The issue is that the recruitment is not transparent and does not follow due process and moreover let me also say, the number of air traffic controllers we need to shore up the gap is not that 40 if they really want to address that it should be a nationwide thing, for now, the number of ATCs we have is far less than 400 and by this year to next year quite a number of our senior ATCs will be retiring”.

    The body pleaded that concerned stakeholders verify their claims as they were in dare need of improvement in the safety of air navigation.

    “Verify, everything we say, everything we mentioned here, we are not being emotional, we are angry because if the system demands I put my whole life into it, I expect the system to provide me the working tools to be able to do that. I’ve not spent close to two years ab initio in the training school for me to qualify as a professional and for me to be frustrated by a system that does not want me to give my best”.

  • Managing Director FAAN appointed member World Governing Board of ACI

    Managing Director FAAN appointed member World Governing Board of ACI

    The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu has been appointed a member of the World Governing Council of Airports Council International (ACI).

    He, alongside two others, Mr Emanuel Chavez of Aeroportos de Mozambique (President) from Mozambique and Mr. Dewananda Chellen of Airports of Mauritius Co. Ltd (Member) from Mauritius were appointed as representatives of Africa on the Board.

    The appointment takes immediate effect.

  • 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.

  • Drone Technology Expo holds in Lagos in May by ABSE

    Drone Technology Expo holds in Lagos in May by ABSE

    Airport Business Summit on Cargo & Aero Logistics and Drone Technology Expo is planned to hold from the 10th to 13th May 2021 at the NIGAV Expo Centre at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

    The combined event is aimed at closing cargo operational capacity gaps of the Nigerian aviation industry, improve cargo revenue, link the chain of aero logistics to national agro-export projects, and open Nigeria to the emerging opportunities in Drone technology.

    The Highlight of the event includes

    · 10th May 2021: Airport Business Summit On Cargo and Aero-logistics

    · 11th May 2021: Drone Essence and Emerging Technologies Conference and Expo

    · 12th May 2021: Airport Business Recovery and Commercial Drone Application

    · 13th May 2021: Conference Debate on PPP and Enterprise Workshops.

    Drone, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft System RPAS is beginning to gain enormous presence in almost all aspects of daily operations. The global drone market is growing at an astronomical CAGR of 13.5% and predicted to hit $80 billion in 2026 opening opportunities for hundredth of thousands of jobs.

    Civil application for this technology has become limitless covering; Delivery, Logistics, Agriculture, Construction, Safety, Rescue, Humanitarian mission, Environment Monitoring, Security, Videography, Mapping and applicable in all industries and commerce.

    Drone Technology Conference and exhibition DRONTECX the first of its kind in Nigeria is opening up the opportunities inherent in this emerging field with an expo and conference planned from 11-13 May 2021 at the NIGAV Centre, International Airport Road, Murtla Muhammed International Airport Ikeja Lagos.

    According the organiser, Fortune Idu, who is the chairman of Airport Business Summit group, the event is offshoot of Airport Business summit which has created Aero cargo and logistics conference and now the drone expo as part of the NIGAV centre event as mandated by the corporation with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to use NIGAV centre to drive Africa event and locate them within the corridor of the International Airport.

    Our projection is that in five years the UAV and autonomous vehicle industry will experience exponential growth in Nigeria and Africa. The growth opportunities in the drone services and software segment are huge for Nigeria but great planning and developing the market required.

    With many countries such as India, USA, UAE liberalizing the application of drone in the economic sphere, more is expected in the coming years with drone technology and Nigeria must not be left behind. We have a big youthful population and technically savvy people who will take advantage of the technology and drive o@regulatory agencies. Ours is to create the platform to have all the mix take place.

    The full three-day event will cover various presentations and workshops on a range of drone issues covering; regulations, manufacturer standards enterprise development, corporate and commercial applications.

    Drone Technology Conference and exhibition is designed to aid this growth through education, awareness creation, exchange of information and creating a trade promotional platform for acquisition of drones, usages and help to build the regulatory framework for safe civil and commercial operations

  • 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.

  • Airports: FAAN strengthens COVID-19 protocols, urges passengers to comply

    Airports: FAAN strengthens COVID-19 protocols, urges passengers to comply

    …sets up compliance monitoring team

    As the world grapples with the second wave of the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has stepped up measures to ensure the safety of travelling passengers and other airport users across the nation.

    From the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Port Harcourt International Airport, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and others within its network, the Authority is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure safe and secure facilitation of travellers.

    In a press release, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, GM Corporate Affairs notes that, across the airports, car parks have been rearranged for seamless pick-up and drop off to avoid congestion. We have also created new drop off zones for passengers with reduced mobility.

    “Operational and directional signages have also been conspicuously remarked at both the airsides and landsides to make movements easier for airport users and to promote social distancing protocols”.

    “Additionally, we have intensified the process of disinfecting all baggage before entering the terminals, as well as enhanced temperature screening of all passengers and staff using infrared scanners. We have also separated access entry points for passengers and staff to reduce congestion and improve on facilitation”.

    The Authority will like to use this opportunity to advise all travellers and airport users to strictly abide by all laid down travel protocols and also reiterate that only passengers will be allowed into the terminals.

    A compliance monitoring team has been constituted for each of our airports to drive total compliance.

  • Unions in FAAN to embark on protest rally next week Monday 21st December over Airport Concession

    Unions in FAAN to embark on protest rally next week Monday 21st December over Airport Concession

    Unions in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN are gearing up to embark on a protest rally from Monday next week, 21st December, 2020 across airports in the country over the proposed planned concession of the four major airports in the country.

    This action will no doubt disrupt flights operations and gradual relative peace so far enjoyed since the resumption of flights and opening of airports.

    The leadership of the unions, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, ANAP and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, in a joint statement say they had no choice but to embark on the protest rally due to the insistence of the Minister of Aviation to concession the four major airports in the country.

    They also added that since the minister was yet to respond to questions begging for answers, they had no choice but to activate their plan B which is the protest rally.

    The unions have therefore directed all their members in the nation’s 22 airports managed by the Federal Government to begin the protest rally midnight on Monday 21st.

    They listed issues to form part of the protest to include, “the immediate payment of all outstanding cooperative deductions, immediate payment of 13th months allowances and settlement of pension deductions”.

    Others are “payment of palliative to staff who worked during the Covid-19 lockdown, payment of leave grant, stoppage of all forms of employment into the organization until concession issues are resolved, immediate repair of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Access gate facilities to improve and maximize revenue collection and No to any form of revenue points concessioning by FAAN Management”.

    The union leaders urged FAAN workers nationwide to remain alert and mobilise for the protest.

  • 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.”

  • Unions issue 7 day ultimatum over unpaid salaries, non-remittance, others to FAAN Mgt

    Unions issue 7 day ultimatum over unpaid salaries, non-remittance, others to FAAN Mgt

    Three unions in the aviation industry are set for a showdown with the Management of the  Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the non payment of outstanding workers’ salaries, allowances, grants and claims.

    To this end, the unions, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) have given the Management of FAAN 7 days to pay to avoid workers strike.

    This was contained in a letter dated 7th October, 2020 to the Managing Director, FAAN Captain Rabiu Yadudu.

    The letter signed by Comrade Aba Ocheme, NUATE, Comrade Frances Akinjole, ATSSSAN, and Comrade Abdul Razaq Saidu, ANAP say,  the continue unilateral actions by the management of FAAN, in the increasing delays and staggering of salary payments which have become unbearable, adding that the unions have decided the situation can no longer be tolerated, due to uncontrollable damage to workers and the smooth operations of FAAN.

    The letter read, “Accordingly, management is hereby notified that if within seven days from the date of the notice, all shortfalls in salary payments are not fully rectified and settled, our unions will commence an indefinite industrial action against the authority”.

    The unions says FAAN Management must expedite action to pay the, “full outstanding salaries, full remittances of all outstanding cooperatives, contributive pensions, tax, deductions; full payment of all outstanding allowances, grants, claims.”