The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a direct appeal to airlines, urging them to immediately review their flight schedules in preparation for the upcoming Yuletide period to drastically reduce the persistent issues of flight delays and cancellations.
Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director of FAAN, disclosed this major directive in Abuja during a retreat organized for the FAAN Governing Board and Stakeholders, themed: “Future-proofing FAAN: Leadership, Modernisation and Strategic Renewal.”
Kuku revealed that the agency has initiated weekly meetings—a significant step up from the previous quarterly schedule—with all relevant aviation stakeholders to ensure a smooth, comfortable passenger experience throughout December and January. These high-level facilitation meetings include ground handlers and airlines, underscoring the urgency of collaborative solutions.
Highlighting the extensive preparations for the festive season, Kuku affirmed the agency’s core commitment. “Crucially, we must ensure that all our airports are safe, secure, and welcoming spaces for our guests, who are the reason for our existence,” she said.
The Managing Director pointed directly to the root of passenger frustration during peak seasons. “We know that a challenge that we continue to have around the peak period is delays from airlines,” she noted. “We are asking the airlines, in conjunction with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to review their schedules and at least make information available in a timely manner where delays exist. So we are working closely together to ensure that we can have a smooth operation this holiday period.”
Beyond tackling airline punctuality, Kuku assured Nigerians that FAAN is simultaneously addressing internal infrastructure challenges to maximize passenger comfort. Efforts are underway to fix faulty cooling systems, resolve persistent power challenges, and maintain impeccably clean environments across all airports throughout the holiday rush.
“So, I can assure Nigerians during the peak period that we are making our environment comfortable from a passenger experience perspective,” Kuku guaranteed. “We are ensuring that the cooling systems are working at the airports and working overnight.”
