FAAN Calls for Stakeholder Cooperation to Ensure Smooth Festive Travel
As the festive season reaches its busiest period, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has urged all aviation stakeholders to collaborate to provide efficient, safe, and pleasant travel experiences for passengers. This peak season, popularly called “Detty December,” sees a significant increase in passenger traffic across the nation’s airports.
Focus on Major International Airports
FAAN highlighted the need for exceptional service delivery at key international airports, particularly Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. These hubs are often the first point of contact for returning citizens and international visitors, making smooth operations and courteous service crucial.
Coordinated Efforts Among Agencies
Mr. Henry Agbebire, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, called on all agencies operating at airports to work in unison. This includes the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Port Health, Quarantine Services, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Aviation Security personnel, ground handlers, and other relevant partners.
FAAN has issued clear guidelines to airport personnel to ensure professionalism and respect for passengers. Officers have been instructed to avoid harassment, unnecessary delays, solicitation of money, profiling, or obstruction, while carrying out their duties with courtesy, efficiency, and professionalism.
The Call for Excellence
Agbebire emphasized the importance of the festive season as an opportunity to demonstrate Nigeria’s culture of excellence:
“This is a season to demonstrate the culture of excellence Nigeria seeks to entrench. Our returning citizens and visitors deserve warmth, order, and reassurance from arrival to exit.”
He further stressed the need for collective responsibility, urging all stakeholders to transform airports into havens of joy, safety, and efficiency during this high-traffic period.
FAAN’s appeal is a reminder that the festive season is not just about travel but also about showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and organizational efficiency. Cooperation among airport agencies, adherence to professional standards, and a focus on passenger welfare will ensure a seamless festive travel experience. As Mr. Agbebire concluded, “Together, let us make Nigeria proud.”
