TheCable

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) held a virtual meeting with the Munich International Airport to compare notes on the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the airports and flight resumption.

According to a statement signed by Henrietta Yakubu, FAAN general manager for corporate affairs, the meeting was to assess the readiness to gradually resume airport operations as directives from the federal government in the reopening of four regional airports across the country.

The presidential task force on COVID-19 had earlier announced June 21 as the tentative date for the resumption of domestic flights in the country.

“While FAAN is responding to the guidelines set by NCAA for gradual airport reopening and POST COVID 19 operations, it is important also to compare notes with other airports in the world to make sure we are on the right track and join the global industry in building back travel confidence,” Rabiu Yadudu, FAAN managing director of FAAN, was quoted to have said.

Yadudu said that the Munich Airport had successfully reopened its airport and has recommenced domestic and international flights, “so it is worth sharing their experience with them”.

He disclosed that FAAN intends to begin involving itself in route development and therefore, collaborative efforts between Munich and FAAN can help in that direction.

According to the statement, guidelines issued by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI) would be “more successful if they are adapted based on the peculiarities of the airport environment which Munich has successfully done”.

Representatives of Munich airport were also said to have shown a willingness to continue the backend co-operation and information sharing to help build traffic, passenger confidence and also improve operational efficiency, non-aeronautical services and route development.