FAAN Orders Airlines to Adjust Holiday Schedules to Reduce Yuletide Flight Disruptions

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has instructed airlines to overhaul their flight schedules ahead of the Christmas travel surge, warning that poor planning remains a major cause of delays and cancellations during the festive season.

The agency’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, issued the directive in Abuja during a strategic retreat for the FAAN board and industry stakeholders. She said the authority has shifted from quarterly to weekly coordination meetings with airlines, ground handlers, and service providers to tighten operational efficiency throughout December and January.

According to her, the focus this season is on resolving persistent operational glitches—faulty cooling systems, unreliable power supply, and cleanliness deficits at major airports. She revealed that facility managers, not just cleaners, have been deployed to address repeated complaints about sanitary conditions.

Kuku stressed that airlines must communicate schedule changes promptly and work closely with regulators to manage peak-season congestion. She added that FAAN is collaborating with power distribution companies and expanding backup infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted electricity, especially at busy hubs in Lagos.

On revenue performance, the FAAN chief reported strong growth across aeronautical and non-aeronautical streams since late 2023, noting that the agency’s income has risen sharply despite currency fluctuations.

She said landing fees, parking charges, passenger service revenue, and commercial earnings have all recorded substantial increases, keeping the agency on track to meet its financial targets for 2024.