FAAN records 13.4 million passengers in 2012.

Aviation Nigeria

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has made a public a publication of its total recorded passengers in 2012, the publication puts the number at 13.4million(thirteen million, four hundred thousand) passengers.

This publication was submitted by FAAN to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday 9 January 2012, with a figure clearly in excess of its around 11million passengers who passed through its terminals in 2011.

A breakdown of the figure shows that arrivals and departures were 6.9 million and 6.5 million passengers respectively, recording a high patronage in April, May, June, July and December 2012.

The publication also pointed out that FAAN was maintaining ``an international standard of security’’ in all its airports to increase the number of passengers and making the airports safe and comfortable for passengers.

The statement was jointly signed by the Executive Officer of FAAN Mrs Abiola Alaka and its Operation Officer, Mr Lawal Abdulahi.

It was also pointed out by the agency, that it was working closely with security agencies such as the Police, Customs, Immigration, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the armed forces, to ensure adequate security of all passengers.

Aviation to earn 4Trillion from Nigeria in 2013.

Aviation Nigeria

By Chinedu Eze

With the coming of more airlines, both on the domestic and international routes, passenger movement increase to over 18 million and a boost to cargo services with the designation of new cargo airports, the aviation industry is projected to generate about N4 trillion in 2013.

If the Federal Government approves, British Airways may increase its frequency to Lagos this year and Emirates will add another aircraft to its operations, the same with Ethiopian Airlines. This is in addition to new foreign airlines that have applied to operate into the country.

Also, Arik Air, which has deepened its operation in Central Africa and expanded its services in West Africa, is expected to bring in more passengers from these regions to Lagos to connect to international destinations.

Available figures indicate that the total amount of revenue generated by foreign and domestic airlines, charter services and cargo operations in Nigeria is over N3.5 trillion or $25 billion annually.

This is expected to increase this year after the slur in market witnessed last year because of the tragic crash of Dana Air flight and the suspension of operations by Air Nigeria, Chanchangi and First Nation Airways, which hiked fares and literally chased many potential air travellers out of the airports.

The N4 trillion would come from passenger tickets, cargo freight charges, payment for charter services and revenues generated by government operators or service providers.

The government operators or service providers include Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),  Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and  Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) that earn about N300 billion or $2 billion annually in the previous years, from passenger service charge, landing and parking, navigational charges and others. These agencies’ revenues are expected to increase by 15 per cent.

By end of December last year, passenger movement on international routes rose to six million and that was the highest increase recorded in the nation’s air transport history, but this may increase to eight million this year.

In 2011, FAAN recorded over 12 million passenger movement and 234,235 aircraft movement and out of the over 12 million passengers, only four million were international passengers, which increased to six million by 2012.

Also, last year, passenger movement in the domestic routes was less than what was obtained in 2011 because of the slump immediately after the crash of Dana Air flight 0992, which killed 163 people, but it picked up from October, reaching its peak in December at almost the same figure with that of 2011.

Besides, foreign airlines operating into Nigeria repatriated over N164 billion to their various countries in 2010; earned over N250 billion in 2011 and it is projected that the figure may have doubled in 2012 because of increase in passenger movement, higher load factor and smooth operations from January to December.

FAAN said that with the installation of new carousel, the expansion and modernisation of airport facilities, there is ease in passenger facilitation.

Also, it is expected that more international airlines will start operation at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, which will also boost the total revenue available to the industry.

NAMA Director debunks unsafe airspace claim by NATCA.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

In response to the claim by the Air Traffic Controllers of an unsafe Nigerian airspace, Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engineer Mazi Nnamdi Udoh has re-assured Nigerians and all stake-holders in the aviation sector of its continued actions to a safer airspace.

While delivering a speech at the agency headquarters in Lagos on Friday December 14 2012, Engineer Udoh spoke on the claim by the Air Traffic Controllers stating that such statement could not collaborate with the glaring reality that airplanes have been flying for the last three months.

He however pointed out that the current challenge confronting the agency was its long range frequency of communication which had just been introduced, affirming  that aside from the new technology no control tower had significant challenges currently.

On the alleged statement by the Air Traffic Controllers, Engineer Udoh responded that: “If they are quoting Air Traffic Controller, it means that, the Air Traffic Controllers have not done any work in the last three months and should not to be paid.”


The Air Traffic Controllers,  in a six-page petition signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Banji Olawode and titled “Continued worrisome state of communication facilities within the Nigerian airspace” challenged Udoh to urgently declare national emergency on Air Traffic Services communication facilities within Nigerian airspace to mitigate the communication situation degenerating into distress stage thereby threatening the lives of air travelers and general public at large.
The General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mr. Supo Atobatele, agreed that the current radio frequency – 27.3 MHz for the Lagos Area Control Centre is at present congested following heavy traffic within the southern airspace, adding that decongestion would commence by December 17 2012.

FAAN advises on Yuletide travels.

Aviation Nigeria

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has advised Nigerians, especially air travelers  to make early preparations for their travel during the forthcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, to avoid the rush that usually takes place during these periods at major airports across the country.

Airports across the country usually witness a huge volume of passenger traffic during these holidays, due to increased local movements of passengers for people travelling for the holidays, added to those returning from different countries overseas for the same purpose.
The Authority also urges travelers to leave home early during these festive periods, in order to confirm their tickets and complete other pre-boarding formalities in good time because of the heavy vehicular movements on access roads close to the terminals that may cause some passengers to miss their flights.

According to the General Manager, Corporate Communication(FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati,:''We also wish to advise vehicle owners to make use of our designated car parks when visiting the airports, whether for business or pleasure. It will help to de-congest the traffic on our access roads and also help to ensure the safety of lives and property within the airports. All vehicles parked in authorized places will therefore be towed and appropriate fines imposed on defaulters''.
It will be noted that the Federal Government has embarked on the transformation of the aviation industry into an efficient and effective sector, spearheaded by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah.

This has led to the remodelling of 11 airport terminals round the country and the upgrading of power projects across the country, among other projects.


Yakubu Dati
General Manager, Corporate Communications