Nigeria takes measures to benefit from global air travellers’ projection

The global projection of volume of air travellers for Year 2034 has been put at 7.3 billion. The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma who disclosed this in Abuja noted that it is expected that there would be a huge leap in air travels as a result of the growing modernization of aviation facilities, coupled with increased deployment of new airspace technology in all operations in the sector.

Quoting a forecast by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Dunoma further disclosed that African airports have been rated amongst the fastest growing markets in the world and would benefit from this growth.

The FAAN boss said Nigeria was conscious and is pro-active in doubling investment in modern infrastructure at all her 23 airports, to enable her benefit maximally from the expected growth, adding that this is why Nigerian airports are expanding their user handling capacity both in aeronautics and non aeronautics services.

The FAAN Chief Executive announced that new opportunities and employment would be created after the massive reconstruction and upgrade of airport terminals at the 22 federal government owned airports across the country.

His words, “The Federal Government of Nigeria as the primary investor in Nigeria’s 23 airports is gradually opening doors for genuine private investors to partner and work with the government to explore the various opportunities in the sector”.

He explained that beyond improving operational efficiency and passenger facilitation, the new terminal facilities when completed will bring up opportunities for more investments to make the airports more user-friendly and offer passengers a whole new travel experience in line with international standards and practices.

Meanwhile Dunoma has called for collaboration among aviation stakeholders to address major challenges facing the development of air transport in Africa.

Dunoma stated this while receiving the Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Sherif Fathy at the exhibition stand of FAAN at the 55th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa board meeting and Regional Conference and Exhibition in Cairo, Egypt.

He said the Federal Government of Nigeria is attracting private investors to partner and work with the Government to explore the various opportunities in the sector.

According to him, “Nigerian airports are playing important international roles in linking the most populous country in Africa to the rest of the world, and is constructing four new terminals to increase its capacity for facilitation and processing”.
Earlier, while declaring the conference open, Fathy stated Egypt is planning to boost capacities of its key airports.

FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Yakubu Dati, said the forum presented a platform for industry experts to come together and explore the challenges faced by the continent and find solutions that would boost the economic growth of Africa.