The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has asked airlines operating in the country to urgently review and adjust their flight schedules ahead of the Christmas and New Year travel season, warning that poorly planned operations are a major cause of the delays and cancellations that disrupt thousands of passengers every December.
Okay News reports that FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja during a strategic retreat for the Authority’s Governing Board and aviation stakeholders.
The event, themed “Future-proofing FAAN: Leadership, Modernisation and Strategic Renewal,” focused on improving aviation services during peak travel months.
Kuku said FAAN has already begun weekly facilitation meetings with airlines, ground handlers, and other critical partners to minimise congestion and ensure smooth operations throughout December and January. She noted that schedule misalignment, poor communication, and operational lapses by airlines are often at the heart of peak-season disruptions.
“We know that a challenge we continue to have during the peak period is delays from airlines,” she said. “We are asking the airlines, in conjunction with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to review their schedules and make information available in a timely manner where delays exist. We are working closely together to ensure smooth operations this holiday period.”
The FAAN boss added that the agency is working to ensure airport facilities function optimally throughout the festive season, including the repair of faulty cooling systems, addressing power supply issues, and maintaining clean terminals.
“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.
Kuku explained that FAAN has increased stakeholder engagement from quarterly to weekly sessions to enhance coordination. She assured travelers that airport environments will be more comfortable this year, with particular attention to ventilation and overnight maintenance.
Addressing sanitation concerns, she acknowledged recurring complaints and revealed that FAAN is now engaging facility managers, rather than relying solely on cleaners, to improve hygiene standards across major airports.
“We have seen complaints about the sanitary environment. We are pulling in facility managers into most major airports because we have noticed some culpability on their part,” she added.
Kuku speaking on power challenges — especially in Lagos, Nigeria’s busiest aviation hub — said FAAN is working closely with the electricity distribution company and strengthening backup power systems to ensure uninterrupted airport operations.
She also reported strong financial performance for FAAN, highlighting significant growth in both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue.
“Under the leadership of this present administration, where we took over in December 2023, we have increased our revenue significantly, not just due to FX fluctuations,” she said. “Our non-aeronautical revenue has increased by over 50 per cent. Our aeronautical revenue – landing, parking, and passenger service charges – has also increased. We are on track with our revenue targets and are excited that FAAN will continue to be a self-sustaining agency.”
