FAAN, IATA chart path to deepen air passenger experience

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) have commenced talks on partnership to deepen air passenger experience.

The two critical service providers, during a recent courtesy visit by IATA Vice-President to FAAN Headquarters in Lagos, underscored the importance of technology and improved collaboration among agencies in improving the conditions of Nigerian airports.

The Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East of IATA, Kamil Alawadhi, acknowledged the present administration’s improvements of the airports and commended FAAN’s commitment to maintaining safety, security, and passenger experience.

Alawadhi underscored the importance of leveraging technology to upgrade security processes, such as checkpoint management, and expressed IATA’s interest in collaborating with FAAN on these initiatives.

He highlighted IATA’s preference for utilising digital solutions to enhance passenger facilitation and improve information sharing between various agencies at the airport, which would contribute to operational efficiency and overall improved passenger experience.

In her response, the Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, urged enhanced collaboration between the Authority and IATA to strengthen and promote the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Kuku emphasised that the continuous improvement of security protocols is a top priority for FAAN, particularly in an evolving global aviation landscape where safety is paramount.

She explained FAAN’s determination to adopt advanced security technologies and processes that protect passengers and streamline their airport experience, adding that FAAN is focused on making the airports more passenger-centric by improving customer service, eliminating complex check-in procedures, thereby reducing passenger facilitation time, and enhancing airport facilities.

Kuku called for closer collaboration between FAAN and IATA, urging that both organisations meet more regularly.

She sought IATA’s assistance in traffic development and any other areas necessary to ensure the success of FAAN’s operations and the sustainable growth of the aviation industry in Nigeria. She assured her visitors that FAAN is fully committed to implementing IATA’s recommendations, ensuring that Nigerian airports continue to meet international benchmarks.

Alawadhi led a five-man delegation of senior IATA officers, which included the Area Manager for West & Central Africa, Dr Samson Fatokun; Director of Operations, Safety and Security for Africa and the Middle East, Mr Kashif Khan; the Regional Manager, Customer Experience & Passenger Facilitation, Mr Mamadou Guebre and Jennifer (Aisha) Yeates , Assistant Director Operational Safety at IATA Africa and Middle East (AME).