FG Fixing Broken Links To Seamless Air Transport — FAAN

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN), yesterday, disclosed that all noticeable broken links in seamless air transportation system in the country are being addressed.

Speaking at Airports, Airlines, Business Summit and Expo (AABSE), in Lagos, tagged, Fixing the Broken Link’, the managing director, FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, said broken links are being addressed with many ongoing projects some of which had been completed and 80 per cent delivered.

According to him, the items being addressed are 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 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.”

He also disclosed that the authority will 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.

Also, the director general, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt.

Musa Nuhu stressed the need for airlines to remain focused on maintaining customers’ trust and pave ways for quick recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Capt. Nuhu who was represented by the director, Aerodromes and Airspace Standards, 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 associated with 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, Refreshment, meal, refund/re-routing on another flight in a timely manner) and in adherence to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations2015 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, smart phones etc. touch point kiosks for check-in so as to reduce the cluster of persons around the check-in areas and clearly marked bag drop of zone, parking zones, seating areas, lavatories, Ambulifts and wheel chairs and Keeping all measures in place is certainly a confidence driver and a guarantee that the airport is a safe place for its customer and passengers.”