FAAN justifies proposed Abuja second runway

THE Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma has justified the construction of the second Abuja Airport runway, which he said was necessary in order to cater for increase in passenger and airline movement at the airport.

Mr Dunoma noted that the construction of a second runway would further prevent the deterioration of the existing runway. He envisioned that with the present rate of growth in the industry, the existing runway may not be able to effectively sustain the traffic.

He said in furtherance of the determination to ensure that the facility is put in place, a committee had been set up made up of official of the FAAN and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), to determine what the runway would look like in terms of structure.

According to him “a second runway is very important because it is key to our operations.” He also said a survey to determine the location of the second runway at the airport had been carried out so that the new facility would work in harmony with the existing ones.

Meanwhile, the managing director had charged African airport chiefs to evolve solutions that are flexible in their approach to the ever changing airport environment.

He stated this at a recent Airports Council International (ACI) conference in Tunisia.
Dunoma advocated for interaction and collaboration with key stakeholders regularly to enhance the implementation of processes and procedures, in consonance with trends in aviation management.

According to him, “cost minimization and efficiency must be the watchword of any meaningful innovation at the airports due to the current global economic challenges.”

Earlier at the opening ceremony, the President of ACI World, Angella Gittens said this year’s theme: “Leadership and innovation in Airport Management” was aimed at improving airport management, encouraging innovation in the sector and developing the leaders of tomorrow.

Also speaking, Pascal Komla, President, ACI Africa and Ali Tousi, Secretary said the event was a unique opportunity for airports and other aviation executives, experts and exhibitors from around the world to network, share information and forge a common vision for the future business of African airports.