‘Why recertification of Lagos, Abuja airports matters for industry, growth’

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) recently recertified the Lagos and Abuja airports for local and international services. Stakeholders recorded the endorsement as a plus for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the new found drive to overhaul the critical facilities, JOKE FALAJU reports.

Recertification of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and its sister facility, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, came to many as a good news of great tidings.
The feat was obtained after the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) resolved all the outstanding Corrective Action Plan (CAP), comprising 136 items for Lagos Airport and 29 items for Abuja Airport.

Indeed, in the last four years after the expiration of the certification in 2020, Nigeria has been unable to meet up with the CAP details – a major set-back responsible for the revocation of the country’s Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) Category One Status. Yet, it is one status that is crucial for international airlines’ patronage of Nigeria.

Specifically, to regain its FAA Category One status, Nigeria must pass safety audits conducted by the FAA, which includes eight key elements such as primary aviation legislation, technical guidance, and certification obligations. Until then, the country will continue to face restrictions on its international flights, resulting in lost revenue and opportunities.

Already undoing the past errors, the recent recertification by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), is a pointer to good preparation for the international validation.
Industry experts commended Nigeria for the feat after four years of waiting. The Acting Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, during the handing over of the certificate to the FAAN Managing Director (MD), Olubunmi Kuku, had maintained that the re-certification was in line with International Civil Aviation Standard that required certification of aerodromes used for international operations.

Going down memory lane, he noted that the standard became applicable in 2003. While Nigeria initially complied with this provision by certifying two international airports in 2017, the three]-year duration of those certificates lapsed in November 2020 in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations in force then.

According to Najomo, NCAA and FAAN worked assiduously in ensuring closure of the critical certification findings as required by the regulations, maintaining that the renewal of the aerodrome certificates marks an important milestone towards achieving excellence in aviation safety and security.

He, however, added that the presentation of these certificates is not an indication that the airports are 100 per cent compliant with safety standards, but “a testament of their compliance with the minimum certification and operating requirements based on risk assessment and presentation of an acceptable Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for continuous implementation by the aerodrome operator.”

Najomo noted that the observed noncompliances have resulted into applicable restrictions and exemptions to reflect the true status of the aerodromes.

He assured that implementation of these CAPs would be monitored by their safety inspectors through post-certification surveillance activities. He appealed for continuous maintenance of high safety standards that prioritise the safety and comfort of passengers, airport users, staff and the public, “to further ensure that subsequent certification renewal processes are seamless in keeping with my mantra of ease-of-doing-business without compromise of standards.”

The FAAN MD on her part noted that Aerodrome certificates have not been active since 2020 and achieving this recertification is not just remarkable but a vital step in enhancing aviation infrastructure, which has long been overdue.

Kuku maintained that the ICAO Annexes, particularly Annex 14, provide the framework for ensuring that the airports are safe, efficient, and capable of meeting the demands of modern aviation, adding that the process involves rigorous assessments of airport facilities, including runway conditions and airfield lighting systems, to ensure compliance with these global standards.
She specifically highlighted the ongoing assessments and improvements regarding the two primary runways in Lagos, and also focusing attention on the taxiways A, B, and C, which are vital connectors that facilitate the smooth movement of aircraft on the ground.

She stressed that the primary runway requires continued commitment to ensure it continues to meet ICAO standards, saying their goal is to enhance these facilities to provide a seamless travel experience for all passengers.

said: “It is crucial that we continue to prioritise these improvements to enhance the safety and efficiency of our operations. We are committed to addressing these challenges head-on, and I assure you that we will allocate the necessary resources to expedite these improvements.”
Aviation expert, Mr Olumide Ohunayo, commended the hard work and diligence of the MD FAAN, “who does not talk much, neither is she out to impress people, but to face her work irrespective of the economy and the environment”.

Ohunayo pointed that Closing 136 gaps in the CAPS is not a small feat as Kuku’s coming into office and sustaining the zeal in ensuring the recertification of the aerodromes is commendable
He, however, stressed the need to sustain this feat given that it took five years to get the aerodromes certified, and then lose.

“Now that they have got it back it is important that they retain and even surpass expectations by ensuring that those gaps are closed and remain closed by continued monitoring and maintenance and when necessary certification and training.”

He stressed the need to move from the two international airports to get the remaining airports certified because when this is done, “the cost of insurance reduces for operators thereby reducing cost of operations, and when this is achieved, passengers will also benefit.”
On his part the General Secretary of the National Association of Aircraft Engineer (NAAPE) Olayinka Abioye, explained that Airport Operating Certificates or Aerodrome Certificates are usually issued to airports that comply with safety and emergency response requirements specified in Part 139 following the provisions of ICAO Annex 14.

He stated that such requirements cover a wide range of issues, including signs, lights and markings, runway safety, aircraft rescue and firefighting, aviation fueling safety, and wildlife hazard management.

He maintained that the recertification is a good win-win situation for both FAAN as an airport operator and all airlines both local and international.

He said that the laudable accomplishments is a great way of showcasing FAAN as an organisation ready to do serious business and ready to comply with Recommended Practices and Procedures of the ICAO and the local Regulatory Authority, the CAA.

He observed that Olubunmi Kuku-led FAAN has shown commitment saying these successes will galvanise FAAN to move ahead for the certification of other major airports, more so with the renewed Federal Government planned concession, and or commercialisation of these airports.
Mentioning that in the past, these issues had been politicised, which tended to have affected almost everything and everyone, he said there are many areas which require attention that could help deepen the internal revenue generation process.

“If these areas are attended to in good time, infrastructure upgrade and worker motivation can further enhance FAAN visibility as a serious organisation that means business and ready for foreign direct investment,” Abioye said.