Discussions At IATA WOCFA Conference Resonates With FAAN’s Airport Improvement Measures
Recent measures taken by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN) under the leadership of the Managing Director/CE, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku have been justified by some issues that constituted focus of discussions at the Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference (WOCFA) Conference held July 2nd to 3rd, 2024 at Johannesburg, South Africa.
Making his input on the first day of the conference, the Honourable Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), emphasized the need for removal of visa restrictions to enable free movement of people and goods across the continent, stating that to achieve this, there is a need to work with Foreign Affairs Ministers across Africa.
FAAN has of recent, taken steps to make Nigeria’s airports safe and accessible by genuine tourists and travellers, alongside efforts to eliminate touting and other forms of criminal conducts around the airports.
A statement signed by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection says the Minister equally made a case for adequate funding of air transport in Africa.
Also speaking at the event, IATA,s Regional Vice President, Africa & Middle East, Kamil Al-Awachi called for pursuit of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which constitutes part of FAAN’s recent programmes.
Issues discussed at the sessions on July 3rd (Day 2) spoke to the recent creation of a dedicated Department for Cargo Services in FAAN as stakeholders emphasized the need for improvement of trade facilitation, Air cargo Facilities and Infrastructure, Cargo Compliance, Closer collaboration amongst African countries and Stakeholders as well as Cargo Specialized Training for stakeholders.
There was emphasis on digitalization of passenger processing and how the embrace of robotics technology by airports in Africa would help to give customers further experience of speed, efficiency and excellence. The use of technology to drive efficiency has been part of FAAN’s priority agenda under the present dispensation.
There were also concerns expressed about staffing challenges associated with embrace of technology as well as portability skill of aviation training in the airport system.
Stakeholders emphasized the need to train and engage fresh minds and to retain younger people in the airport system while encouraging professionals within the system to return so as to sustain the industry’s development. This applauds the recent massive trainings conducted by FAAN’s training schools across the country.
FAAN’s recent efforts to optimize and improve revenue generation, was equally justified by deliberations around airports revenue improvements.
Generally, discussions at the IATA WOCFA Conference confirmed the fact that FAAN is on the right course in pursuit of its vision of becoming one of the best airport companies in the world.
