The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has called for stronger collaboration between FAAN and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to promote the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Mrs. Kuku made this appeal during a courtesy visit by IATA’s Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, Mr. Kamil Alawadhi, at FAAN’s headquarters in Lagos on October 15, 2024.
The visit, aimed at fostering deeper ties between the two organizations, was attended by senior IATA officials, including the Area Manager for West & Central Africa, Dr. Samson Fatokun; Director of Operations, Safety and Security for Africa and the Middle East, Mr. Kashif Khan; Regional Manager of Customer Experience & Passenger Facilitation, Mr. Mamadou Guebre, and Assistant Director of Operational Safety for IATA Africa and the Middle East, Jennifer (Aisha) Yeates.
According to a press statement released by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Alawadhi acknowledged the substantial improvements made at Nigerian airports under the current administration and praised FAAN’s commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, security, and passenger experience.
He stressed the importance of leveraging technology to enhance security processes, such as checkpoint management, and expressed IATA’s interest in collaborating with FAAN to adopt digital solutions for better passenger facilitation and information sharing between agencies at airports. This, he noted, would increase operational efficiency and improve the overall passenger experience.
In her remarks, Kuku reiterated that improving security protocols remains a top priority for FAAN, particularly in an evolving global aviation environment where safety is critical.
She stressed the Authority’s determination to adopt advanced technologies and streamlined processes that protect passengers while enhancing their airport experience, adding that FAAN is focused on making Nigerian airports more passenger-centric by improving customer service, simplifying check-in procedures, reducing facilitation time, and upgrading airport facilities.
The FAAN MD also called for closer collaboration with IATA, suggesting more frequent meetings between both organizations to address traffic development and other critical areas that would ensure the long-term success of FAAN’s operations.
She assured the IATA delegation that FAAN is fully committed to implementing the association’s recommendations to ensure Nigerian airports continue to meet international standards.
Responding, Mr. Alawadhi reaffirmed IATA’s commitment to supporting FAAN in its efforts to enhance aviation safety, security, and passenger experiences in Nigeria.
Other members of FAAN’s management team who were present to receive the IATA delegation included the Director of Airport Operations, Captain Abdullahi Mahmood, and General Manager of Business Development, Mr. Hycienth Ngwu, among others.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between FAAN and IATA in strengthening Nigeria’s aviation sector and ensuring that Nigerian airports remain competitive on the global.
L-R, MD/ CEO, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, IATA’s Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, Mr. Kamil Alawadhi, and Area Manager for West & Central Africa, Dr. Samson Fatokun at FAAN’s headquarters in Lagos on October 15, 2024.
