Benefits of Transforming Abuja, Lagos International Airports
The recent upgrade of facilities and manpower development of Nigeria’s two major airports in Abuja and Lagos, by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, has led to the re-certification of both airports, a development that elevated their status in Africa, writes Chinedu Eze
There are critical measures airports must attain in order to meet the status recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), for the purpose of re-certification, which ensures that the aerodromes meet specific standards and regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations, as well as the protection of passengers, crew, and the surrounding environment.
According to ICAO, in partnership with the Airports Council International (ACI), there are criteria set out that must be met by the airport management and the country, known as the Implementation Package (iPack), which is a self-contained product that will assist Civil Aviation Authorities (the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA) and airport operators in the development, implementation, and oversight of an aerodrome certification programme. This includes relevant documentation, tools, and an online course to facilitate each recipient’s aerodrome certification goals.
The Abuja and Lagos International airports were recently re-certified, after meeting the set standards, following the recent upgrade of facilities at both airports.
The Upgrade
Last week, NCAA in line with the regulatory conditions set out by ICAO, re-certified the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The last time the airports were certified were in 2020 and the recertification was supposed to be carried out every three years. The delay in re-certification of both airports, was as a result of the inability of the airports to meet the infrastructural and manpower requirement needed for their re-certification, since 2023, which obviously downgraded the status of the airports.
But THISDAY learnt that FAAN management did not set out to prepare the airports for re-certification; as it kicked off the transformation of the airport in line with the Tinubu administration’s renewed hope agenda and the plan of the Managing Director and CEO of the agency, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, to improve the airports with state of the art facilities, enhance easy passenger facilitation, improve security and also to develop enough manpower, especially in the technical areas.
Kuku is also looking at pushing the two major airports and the others to maximising their full commercial benefits for improvement of revenue for the agency, including full development of cargo revenue bases and exploration of potential new grounds for development, especially at the airports which are currently not yielding revenue for even their own sustenance.
Infrastructure Renewal
As at the time Kuku took over as the Managing Director and CEO of FAAN, the second runway at the Lagos airport, known as international runway (18R) was under rehabilitation. It had already taken a long time, causing flight delays and traffic congestion at the domestic runway (R18L), as local, international and general aviation flights took off from the facility.
The runway was however, put into service in February and flight operations returned to normal, prompting international carriers to heave a long sigh of relief. They had started complaining and were about to petition concerned authorities before the runway returned to service. Prior to that time, foreign carriers were missing their take off schedules.
Kuku said under her watch, no expense was spared to ensure the safety of personnel and assets, as well as maintenance and upgrade of airport infrastructure.
She disclosed that airlines on international operations from Lagos had recorded improved on-time performance since the runway was put in use.
“As the incident commander of FAAN, safety as a unit has a General Manager who reports directly to me. We have put measures in place such that any issues that could potentially render a runway unserviceable are taken very seriously and acted on immediately,” she had said.
To maintain the current status of the runways, she ensured that it would be continuously maintained.
“Our officers regularly carry out runway inspections, keep maintenance schedules and ensure all safety protocols are meticulously followed to ensure that all runways meet the global standards for safe aircraft operations.
“It is essential to note that the FAAN is bound by strict regulatory frameworks, national and international, that dictate the conditions under which a runway can be deemed unserviceable. Runway serviceability inspections are conducted regularly, and any discrepancies are promptly addressed to maintain the operational integrity of the airfield,” the FAAN boss said.
Certification
During the award of the certificate to confirm the re-certification of the Abuja and Lagos airports, NCAA said it had fully certified the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja.
Kuku explained that the country’s aerodrome certificates have not been active since 2020; so, it was a major achievement attaining the recertification, noting that the achievement was not just remarkable; but a vital step in enhancing the aviation infrastructure, which has long been overdue, adding that the accomplishment was a clear indication of the sector’s commitment to providing a safe and efficient air travel experience for all.
“The recertification process is not merely a formality; it is anchored in the principles established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As you may be aware, the ICAO Annexes, particularly Annex 14, which pertains to aerodromes, provide the framework for ensuring that our airports are safe, efficient, and capable of meeting the demands of modern aviation.
“This process involves rigorous assessments of our facilities, including runway conditions and airfield lighting systems, to ensure compliance with these global standards. Specifically, I would like to highlight the ongoing assessments and improvements regarding the two primary runways in Lagos 18R. The runways are crucial for our operations, and their conditions directly influence the efficiency and safety of air traffic.
“We are also focusing our attention on the taxiways A, B, and C, which are vital connectors that facilitate the smooth movement of aircraft on the ground. In Abuja, the primary runway also requires our continued commitment to ensure it continues to meets ICAO standards. Our goal is to enhance these facilities further to provide a seamless travel experience for all passengers,” she said.
Kuku said while the country has made commendable strides in the re-certification efforts, she emphasised that there was still work to be done and pointed out specifically that some of the country’s runways and airfield lighting systems, would require further attention to meet the ICAO standards fully, adding that it is crucial that the country continues to prioritize these improvements to enhance the safety and efficiency of our operations.
“We are committed to addressing these challenges head-on, and I assure you that we will allocate the necessary resources to expedite these improvements. I would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, for their unwavering support throughout this process,” Kuku said.
The Acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, disclosed that in March 2001, the ICAO Council adopted a new standard that required certification of aerodromes used for international operations and this standard became applicable on November 27, 2003 and Nigeria initially complied with this provision by certifying two international airports in 2017.
According to the Najomo, the 3-year duration of those certificates lapsed in November 2020 in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations in force then.
“At the expiration of NAIA & MMIA aerodrome certificates, a six month extension was granted to FAAN to operate the aerodromes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which we all remember had devastating effects on the aviation sector. However, the extension was granted on the condition that FAAN resolved all outstanding certifications like the (certified analytics professional (CAP) items and complete the recertification process within the extension period. To be detailed, there were 136 items for MMIA and 29 items for NAIA, so this was no mean feat.
“Since then, NCAA and FAAN got down to the hard work of ensuring closure of the critical certification findings as required by the Regulations. I have deliberately taken us down this memory lane in order to have a proper perspective of what is being celebrated here today,” Najomo said.
Boosting Revenue
In many airports of the world, they maximise the establishment of hospitality, shopping and entertainment services to boost non-aeronautical revenue bases and the FAAN Managing Director and CEO is not letting this opportunity slip by.
Recently the President of the Airports Fire and Safety Multipurpose Cooperative Society, (AFSMCS), owners and managers of the famous Firecoop Aviators’ Lodge located at number 41/43, Kalejaiye Street, Bisam Tollgate along the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road in Ikeja Alhaji Saheed Sadiq, disclosed that since the assumption of office of the FAAN MD, the facility has witnessed increase in its patronage, following Kuku’s intervention in repositioning the facility.
The facility is jointly own by cooperators in the aviation industry, which include bodies from the aviation agencies. At the commissioning of the facility recently Kuku affirmed that the development of the lodge was part of her vision to improve seamless passengers’ facilitation and movement around the three terminals at the Lagos airport.
Kuku said: “The Firecoop Aviators’ Lodge is strategically located between the domestic and international wing of the Lagos airport. This to us is cheering as it allows easy access to the terminals here at the airport without the attendant traffic challenges we do encounter when coming from other locations.
“FAAN will continue to partner with the managers of the Firecoop Aviators’ Lodge in improving passengers experience around the Lagos airport as I firmly believe its state of the art facilities aptly fit the standard we desire to create and expect for facilities that will help reposition our industry in the direction we so much desire for the industry.”
Commending Kuku for her vision for the hospitality sector, Sadiq said the facility has never had it so good since her appointment, which he said has ensured that the lodge continues twenty hours power supply among other developments on the facility.
“The role FAAN has played in the whole of this investment cannot be over emphasized. The agency as a strategic partner in the management of staff welfare has played a very pivotal role in this investment. The energy we are consuming here today is courtesy of FAAN and we remain eternally grateful to the management for the laudable support. Our partnership remains symbiotic,” he said.
FAAN said that it is also exploiting other opportunities to boost non-aeronautical revenue by attracting other hospitality facilities, “as airport users benefit from the services and also pay for the services, such movement has increased the traffic across the two sides of the Lagos airport and also at peak hours, the multistory car park is filled with vehicles, suggesting more investment in more car parks.”
Collaborative Efforts
The FAAN boss has been working effectively with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to drive Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda. Following criticism from airport users, the Minister recently announced that there would be unscheduled monthly inspections of airports nationwide to address expectations of the traveling public who daily utilise the airports across Nigeria
During these visits, Kayamo said he would personally participate in various operational activities, demonstrating leadership and emphasising the value of diligent service.
The minister said he would also address airport staff, hear their complaints and encourage them to uphold professionalism and serve the public courteously, saying that the aimed of the visits is to address the expectations of the traveling public who daily utilize the nation’s airports across Nigeria, improving service delivery and environmental conditions at these facilities.
Despite the criticism by some air travellers, FAAN seemed poisoned to advance the infrastructural landscape at nation’s airports under Kuku.Despite the criticism by some air travellers, FAAN seemed poisoned to advance the infrastructural landscape at nation’s airports under Kuku.
