Transportation

FAAN Assures Smooth Yuletide Airport Operations

By Web News 275

By Nosa Aituamen (Lagos)

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has intensified nationwide measures to ensure smooth passenger movement during the yuletide amid increased traffic and ongoing airport upgrades.

Speaking with aviation reporters in Lagos, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Henry Agbebire, said the authority had anticipated the seasonal surge, particularly in Lagos, where Terminal One is undergoing repairs.

He said additional customer service personnel, identified by “Ask Me” jackets, have been deployed, while security has been strengthened, especially at arrival and pick-up areas.

According to Mr Agbebire, FAAN is collaborating with Customs, Immigration and other security agencies to deliver a seamless and welcoming experience for travellers, including Nigerians returning from the diaspora.

He noted that extra security personnel have been deployed in Lagos to manage crowd control and traffic flow, with similar arrangements in place at airports nationwide.

While acknowledging that construction activities and airline delays may cause occasional inconveniences, he assured passengers that FAAN is committed to minimising disruptions.

Mr. Agbebire urged travellers to report any form of harassment through QR codes and helplines displayed at airports, adding that personnel have been cautioned against misconduct.

He appealed for patience from airport users, assuring that the temporary challenges will result in improved airport facilities in the coming weeks.

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Aviation

FAAN Suspends Operations at Ibadan Airport

By Web News 147

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has temporarily closed Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA) in Ibadan to carry out extensive upgrade works aimed at improving the airport’s infrastructure and operational standards.FAAN announced the closure in a statement on Saturday, confirming that the Federal Government of Nigeria approved the move to allow for critical improvements at the facility.“The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has closed the runway and suspended airport operations in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations”.

In its statement, FAAN noted that the closure aligns with aviation safety recommendations and best practices, emphasizing the need to ensure the safety of passengers and airport personnel during the upgrade period.

The authority appealed to airport users and stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation throughout the closure.

Guardian / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Transportation

FAAN Shelves Date of New Toll for Nmamdi Azikwe Airport

By Web News 358

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has shifted the date to effect the new toll fare at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from July 17 to August 1, 2023.

According to a statement by the management of FAAN on Sunday in Abuja, the postponement was to allow airport users to enjoy more of the current charges.

The statement noted that the fare for cars would change from N200 to N300, while buses and Sport Utility Vehicles would change from N300 to N500 only.

It added, the fare for trucks (six tyres) would change from N500 to N1,000 while the trailer and container tariff would be N2,000.

The management urged the public to take note of the changes in the effective date and tariff.

It also appealed to all airport users that owned vehicles to use the dedicated ‘Park and Pay’ for car parks that had been provided for the comfort of airport users, noting that drop-off zones rules and regulations guiding movement should be respected to create free traffic flow to enhance a calm and serene environment around the airport.

The statement partly reads, “Commercial drivers are to use the drop-off zone to drop their passengers but not to engage in pick-up of passengers as the airport already has registered car hire services (FAAN Taxi, Bolt, Uber) situated along the airport exit way.

“There is an exclusive parking lot for heads of MDAs, MDs of private companies, and highly recognised individuals for their comfort as frequent fliers and their status in society.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Transportation

FAAN Apologises for Flight Diversion to Lagos

By Web News 388

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has apologised for the hitches suffered over the weekend by airline operators with the diversion of flights to Lagos from Kano due to unserviceable runway lighting.

In a statement, Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua said on Saturday July 15, the airfield maintenance team of FAAN observed that the runway lighting would not come on after the scheduled daily maintenance work of replacing old and weak Airfield cables with new ones.

Explaining further, he said the maintenance team immediately initiated fault finding procedures along the cable route to identify the problem and restored power to the airfield lighting circuit.

”The entire runway circuit was affected leading to the failure of the Runway 06/24 edge light, the Taxiway Alpha edge light, PAPI and signage,” he said.

According to Yakubu-Funtua, As at 7pm (WAT) the fault was yet to be isolated and power supply to the runway could not be restored leaving the Runway in total blackout which affected night operation with arriving flights diverted to alternate airports.

He noted that, after all efforts to restore power supply to the runway failed, Operations department initiated a NOTAM action for the closure of Runway 06/24 between 11pm July 15 to 7am of July 16.

He regretted any inconvenience caused by the diversion of the two Kano bound aircraft to Lagos.

Yakubu-Funtua also assured that new cables have been installed on Sunday July 16 leading to restoration of all runway lights before commencement of night operations.

FRCN Abuja/ Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Transportation

FG Fires FAAN MD

By Web News 397

The Federal Government has removed the Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu.

This is as the FG approved the appointment of the current Manager, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Kabir Mohammed, as the new FAAN managing director.

He is expected to assume duty next week.

Mohammed before his appointment as the new FAAN boss was also the Regional General Manager, North Central.

He was appointed as the Chairman of Aviation Roadmap Implementation Committee in January 2022 by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, a position he effectively combined with his office as the General Manager, Special Duties at FAAN.

Details of why Yadudu was removed were still sketchy as of press time.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Transportation

‘We Are Not Responsible for Constant Flight Delays’- Airline Operators, FAAN

By Web News 532

TWO major stakeholders in the aviation sector, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, and the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, are currently trading blames over the root cause of constant flight delays experienced by passengers.
While AON insists that FAAN is cupable for the delays as a result of lack of consultation before closing the domestic runway of Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, FAAN however explained that measures are being put in place to mitigate the problem as repair works in still ongoing on runway 18L/36R.

Drawing attention to the issue, AON President, Abdulmunaf Yunusa in a letter addressed to the Director General, FAAN, Capt Rabiu Yadudu said: “FAAN is aware of the current existential threat of runaway aviation fuel prices to the domestic airlines. The closure of the main domestic runway of MMA automatically adds an additional 10-15% more fuel costs per sector into and out of MMA, based on the additional flight and taxi time incurred as a result.
“The airlines have already felt these additional costs within the first week of the closure of the runway. This unnecessary burden is unsustainable for a 3 month period on the airlines.
“The closure of Runway 18L has led to a chain of direct flight delays on a daily basis, impacting the entire system of scheduled domestic flights in the country. FAAN is aware that most domestic flights originate from or pass through MMA at some point every day. This is an unnecessary additional negative outcome for the industry.

Reacting to the development, FAAN’s Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, noted that, work commenced on the Runway on July 8, 2022 with the mobilization of equipment and workers while on July 9 the portion of the Runway closed to traffic was condoned off with safety barriers with obstacle Light.
“Marking of the runway centre line light commenced and 240m marking from the threshold 18L was done. While digging of cable trenches from the switch room 18L to Approach commenced same day.”

“As at last week’s heavy downpour rain affected the progress but stressed that so far, work is progressing well. As of July 18, 2022 FAAN is digging cable trenches while installation of the threshold 18L has commenced with cutting and excavation of the secondary cable trench and fixing of fittings.
“Marking of the taxiway Centreline, stop-bars and No Entry lights on taxiway C has commenced and is almost completed according to updates provided by the airport managers.”

Vanguard/Taiwo Akinola

Transportation

FAAN Steps up Airport Surveillance Sytem

By Web News 515

The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu says thermal and visual infrared cameras surveillance system have been acquired for effective security of the airfield and perimeter fences at Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja.

He said , the visual camera system is to cover from sunrise to sunset while the thermal from sunset to early morning and fully automated.

Captain Yadudu stated this while answering questions from aviation reporters in Lagos on the recent mangled body found on the runway of the Lagos international airport two weeks ago.

He said, investigation into the mangled body found on the runway of the Lagos airport was still ongoing and commenting on the matter would amount to preempting the outcome of the investigation.

According to him, the agency was working to ensure that, the runways and other sensitive areas of the airport were adequately protected.

Captain Yadudu explained that, the solution they had arrived at was the use of surveillance equipment, infrared thermal cameras that would help to capture and track movements around the sensitive areas and the perimeter fences.

The FAAN boss stressed that, the process of acquisition and procurement had been on and President Mohammadu Buhari approved the purchase in November last year, adding that, in a month or two, the equipment would arrive the country for installment.

“And we are buying not one but four of those camera’s to cover the whole airfield and this is fully automated, it will be spanning 360 degrees if it detects any movement in the camera it will lock on to that movement, it is automatic until you disengage it to continue tracking, any movement it will lock and track that movement, that is the technology we are having, daylight and sunset”.

He also disclosed that, order had been placed for two motorized thermal camera system for deployment to any airports in the event of security challenges.

“We also bought two motorized equipment. If you have any security challenges at any airport, we will drive it there and deploy it. Inside the vehicle, we have three screens that we can use to monitor and protect the airports”.

In the meantime, Captain Yadudu said, manual patrols have been stepped up by the airport team with the military, to ensure adequate security of the airfield.

Nosa Aituamen

Transportation

Aviation Unions Suspend Proposed Strike

By Web News 541

The planned industrial action by aviation unions on the non-implementation of the New minimum wage and release of the approved Condition of Service has been suspended.

Unions in the industry last week had threatened to ground flight operations in the country with the withdrawal of their services nationwide from today, February 8 if their request were not granted.

The suspension was announced in a communique jointly signed by the Ministers of Aviation, Labour and leadership of the five aviation unions after a meeting held on Monday in Abuja.

In the communique, it was agreed that on the matters of the minimum wage and consequential adjustment, the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission, NSIWC should issue a Service of Wide Circular informing all organisations in the public and private sectors that they are bound to implement the wage and adjustment.

While the Ministry of Aviation is to do the same to all agencies under its supervision, requesting them to implement it without further delay and clarify that the payment became effective from April 18, 2019, when the minimum wage was signed into law.

It also adds that those that have exited the system during the period to date would also be paid arrears.

It was also agreed that the financial aspect for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA will be resolved by the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) by the third week of February as it concerns the approval and release of the reviewed conditions of service while that for FAAN has been released since 2019 but there were issues which were observed and have been forwarded to the Ministry.

For the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, the communique notes that the financial implication of the CoS has been approved by the PCS and the implementation process has been concluded except for hazard allowances which would be reconsidered by the NSWIWC on a sectorial level.

At the end of the meeting, it was unanimously agreed that by March 31, 2022, the Ministry of Aviation must ensure the approval, release and implementation of the reviewed CoS for all the workers in the agencies under the aviation ministry.

At the meeting from the unions’ side were; the President, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Abednego Galadima, National President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Illitrus Ahmadu, National President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Ben Nnabue, National President of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Kabir Gusau and the National President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service and Technical Employees (AUPCTRE), Benjamin Anthony.

While from the government side in attendance were, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Labour and Aviation, the chairman of the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), representatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations (TUSIR), Budget Office of the Federation and the Head of Civil Service.

Frcn, Abuja

Transportation

FAAN Moves To Block Wastages, Improve Efficiency

By Web News 601

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commenced cashless policy and plugging some loopholes in the system to optimize its revenue generation collection, reduce cost and promote efficiency.

Managing Director, FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu, who stated this during the House Committee on Aviation visit to the agency’s facilities at the Lagos Airport said, management had taken some concrete steps to improve revenue generation and curb spending in recent months.

Some of the steps taken according to Captain Yadudu included the suspension of procurement of non-essential items, reduction in all staff-related cost to the barest and aggressive debt recovery drive hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Others are plugging of revenue loopholes, cash and fly policy, promotion and enforcement of cashless policy and the continuous strengthening of business and operational excellence by improving on people, processes, platforms and performances.

He added: “In keeping with our vision and mission, we have strategically positioned ourselves to ensure that we have modern and up-to-date high-tech equipment and facilities that will aid better security, safety and comfort of all stakeholders.

“I will like to say that aviation business is a global, technical and highly regulated with huge infrastructure requirements; furthermore, it is necessary to reiterate that aviation business is driven by volumes and turnaround with an operating profit margin of between 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent. Without the required volumes and traffic, it will be difficult to break even.”

“The aviation agencies will urgently need intervention fund from the Federal Government to address infrastructural gaps and position the industry for better service delivery and contribution to the national economy.”

The FAAN boss also disclosed that the new terminal under construction by CCECC would be ready for use by February 2021.

According to him, the terminal would have been completed this December, but the emergence of Covid-19 pandemic slowed down its completion.

The House Committee on Aviation Chairman, Mr Nnolim Nnaji, lauded FAAN for steps taken so far to improve services for airlines, air travellers and other users of the airports nationwide.

He emphasised that there had been some improvements in the facilities at the airports in the last one year, despite the challenges of 2020 and charged the management of FAAN to invest more on safety and security infrastructure.

He said: “The worst we had was the Covid-19 pandemic. We are happy that the industry is coming back. As you can see, a lot of things were abandoned because of lots of things and now, contractors are coming back to site.”

“Last year, we noticed that there was no connection between the old and the new terminal, but today, as you can see, they have done the connection. What the Managing Director of FAAN said is that by February 2021, they will open up the corridor for passengers to use. We are impressed with FAAN. Last year, there was no apron like this, but this year, we now have it. It goes to show that FAAN is working and moving forward. We are happy with FAAN and we are ready to support the industry to move forward”.

“We as a committee advised FAAN that they must concentrate on critical infrastructure to save the industry. Safety and security are very key for the industry. In moving forward, most of the things that we will like to see in the budget would be something that are linked to security and safety like operational and perimeter fences, airfield lightings, runways and others. These are the things that will improve on safety and security of the industry”.

Nosa Aituamen

News

We are prepared to ensure safety of travelers – FAAN

By Web News 838

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has assured all airport users that all Nigerian airports under its management are fully ready to play host to air travelers during this Sallah celebrations.

In a statement, the spokesperson for FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu says as part of their commitment to ensuring safe, healthy and seamless facilitation of passengers during the Sallah celebrations and beyond, the authority has put necessary safety measures in place in accordance with the Covid-19 protocols of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC and the Port Health Service. 

Mrs Yakubu says, other operational facilities are also functioning optimally, while the airport security architecture and other logistics have been upgraded and strengthened to provide for the expected increase in passenger traffic in and around our airports. 

While advising the general public and intending travelers to make early preparations towards completing their travel requirements in good time, she re-stated that protocol officers and orderlies of dignitaries will not be allowed into the airport except if they are travelling alongside their principals, as only travelling passengers would be allowed into the airports.

“Also, dignitaries and VIPs are enjoined to please ensure compliance with airport protocols for their safety and that of others.”

Nosa Aituamen