SERVICOM: FAAN boss declares support for positive base activities

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Capt Hamisu Yadudu says the management will continue to support activities that will portray the organisation in a positive light and bring about an increase in passenger traffic.

Capt Yadudu who spoke at the Servicom Networking Meeting held in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, said Servicom customer service department remained a tool for the transformation of organizations.

Yadudu noted that the networking event was a great milestone in the organisation’s quest for outstanding Service.

“We should not forget the essence of networking which include interacting with others to exchange information and develop professionally and social contacts. Therefore, this event is a great opportunity for colleagues and friends to reunite and seek ways to move our various organisation forward.”

“It is no longer news that the year 2020 has been a trying one and has tested our mettle in every aspect of our lives. We have learned to rise to this challenge and overcoming it will make the victory much sweeter”

Yadudu remarked that the aviation sector played a vital role in facilitating economic growth and development which provided numerous economic and social benefit saying that some of the main economic impacts of aviation arose from its ability to generate employment opportunities, wealth, effectively supporting global business and tourism, especially developing ones, the opportunity to facilitate trade and enable connection in the global supply chain.

According to the FAAN boss, the industry remained one of the most hit sectors due to the COVID-19 pandemic with a sudden drop in demand for air travel, bringing the airports to a standstill situation coupled with the air traffic reduction, low passenger booking, and travel restrictions imposed by some countries.

Consequent upon this development, he noted that airports have lost take-off and landing fees as well as Passenger Service Charges (PSC) which were the major revenue-generating points of airports.

“According to IATA, airports revenue, globally dropped down to 90 per cent in April 2020 and still went down by 75 per cent in August”

He explained that with the assistance of government measures and industry guidance, recovery has started with the aviation sector bringing out some guideline to ensure the health and safety of passengers, the crew, and the rest of the airport workers.

“As this year has shown, things will not always be rosy, and it is only in the unity of purpose can success be achieved. We will constantly be tested on our management and handling of critical situations within the aviation industry”.

In her remarks, the general manager Customer Service of FAAN, Mrs Ebele Okoye noted that the COVID-19 outbreak has hit the airports hard which has further stalled development in emerging markets with air travel fallen sharply and has prompted airlines to cut capacity.

She cited Airports Council International (ACI) a global trade group for the world’s airports, there were well over 4,000 airports across the globe with scheduled traffic in (2016) and these generated revenues of $172.2 billion.

In 2017 it was increased by 6.2 per cent. The airport industry has steadily expanded in recent years, driven by strong growth in passenger traffic. In 2019, total trips exceeded 9 billion and increased by 3.4 per cent year by year.