NANTA encourages its members to embrace consolidation

L-R: MD, Vintage Management Ltd, Mr. Francis Atoju; Country Manager, British Airways, Mr Kola Olayinka; 1st Vice President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs Tinuke Nwakohu; MD, Touchdown Travels, Mr Dayo Adeola; Chairman, BOT, NANTA, Mr. Akintunde Akala; Ms Bunmi Acher of Leadway Assurance and Country Manager, Emirate Airlines, Mr. Manoj Nair at the 39th Annual General Meeting of NANTA in Ikeja on Tuesday

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, NANTA held its 39^th edition of Annual General Meeting with encouragement to its members to embrace consolidation as the global travel industry is moving forward. According to the National President of the association, Alhaji Aminu Agoha who said that he strongly believe that if properly handled and successfully implemented by the consolidating parties, consolidation would not only reposition the parties to face the future challenges but also minimize agency default.  Stressing on the theme of the AGM : ‘CONSOLIDATION IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY- THE WAY FORWARD’, Alhaji Agoha said  is to emphasise the need for stronger relationship among members. Giving their voices to the theme a panel of discussant was constituted. Mr Kola Olayinka, the Country Manager of British Airways urged NANTA members the need to study what is obtained in other clime to handle the consolidation and with consolidation, the experience of two or three agencies will bring the best out of them. Alhaji Muneer Bankole, the Managing Director of Medview Airlines said the issue of trust must be critically looked at when considering consolidation as it is the greatest challenge facing business operation in the country. Ms Bunmi Acher of the Leadway Assurance said transparency will play important role.

AVIATION UNION KICKS AGAINST BAN ON FOREIGN TRAININGS

The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ATSSSAN has condemned the ban on foreign trainings by the head of service of the federation  describing it as injurious to health and sound operations in the aviation sector. 

A communique issued at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of (ATSSSAN) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, ATSSSAN declared that absence of foreign training in the aviation sector will spell doom for the industry as the sector was highly technical, dynamic and ever changing one with basic requirements for training and retraining to meet global standards and called for waiver for aviation industry.

The communiqué jointly signed by Comrade Benjamin Okewu and Captain Taiongu president and Deputy General Secretary respectively expressed worry that concessioniare companies in the industry have become slave drivers in the country, extorting the nation and exploiting workers with various obnoxious anti-labour practices and warned that ATSSSAN was prepared to lead the struggles to stop the excesses of these organisations.

The NEC also warned all agencies in the aviation sector to respect and implement all signed documents on workers welfare to the letter or face the full wrath of the union.

It also cautioned the federal government and all relevant bodies on the need to quickly to address the demands of the ex-staff of liquidated national carrier,  Nigeria Airways for the payment of their remaining terminal benefits and 5% terminal benefits of the employees fo SAHCOL from the Bureau of public Enterprises (BPE).

ATSSSAN said it will move against any attempt by government to make workers the “weeping boy” of current economic crises especially when there were viable options to mitigate the effects of oil slump.

ASECNA PARTNERS NAMA ON SINGLE AFRICAN SKY

A top level technical team of the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) led by its Director General, Mr Amadou Guitteye, has held crucial deliberations with officials of the Nigerian Airspace Managing Agency (NAMA), along with CEOs of other aviation agencies in Lagos on issues bordering on harmonious collaboration and partnership with Nigeria, aimed at further enhancing safety and seamlessness in airspace coordination within the AFI region.

According to a statement signed Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona, the Acting General Manager Public Affairs of  NAMA,  Mr Guitteye stated that their visit to Nigeria was pursuant to the Cotonou declaration of 2010 which harped on “the need for African ANSPs to move to a single African sky through close collaboration, coordination and partnership that would bring about a standardized, harmonized, seamless and interoperable CNS/ATM systems within intra and adjacent FIRs.” 

 The ASECNA boss noted that with the impending sectorization of Accra FIR which hitherto included Benin and Togo airspaces, soon to be taken over by ASECNA, there was the need to review letters of procedures with Nigeria, as the closest neighbour to ASECNA in the region.  Amadou also solicited collaboration in the area of cross-border search and rescue and training of critical manpower.

the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam noted that an inter-FIR collaboration with ASECNA who are all-round neighbours to Nigeria is a welcome development as it would be of mutual benefit to both parties and “we look forward to a very fruitful collaboration and cooperation between Nigeria and  ASECNA countries.’’

The ASECNA delegation which inspected facilities include the Control Tower, Equipment Room, VSAT Earth Station, Instrument Landing Systems, Localizers as well as the TRACON centre.

Speaking after the facility tour, the ASECNA DG described the facilities as excellent. ‘’We are very impressed about what we have seen today. From the navigational aids to the TRACON centre, we learnt a lot and it has given us more confidence in the ability of NAMA to guarantee safety of air navigation in the region. We also discovered from our interaction that Nigeria has very capable technical manpower managing these infrastructure and we shall continue to exchange ideas and technologies, all targeted at enhancing air safety on the continent of Africa.’’

Arik, CFM Partner to Develop Indigenous Skills

World renowned aircraft engine manufacturer, CFM International and Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Arik Air have kick-started discussion on the training of Nigerians on aircraft engine maintenance and repairs.

This is an invaluable contribution of Arik Air to government’s local content development policy and as discussion progresses, it is expected that the airline would select intelligent, bright and young Nigerians that would be trained by CFM, which is the manufacturer of Arik Air Boeing 737 New Generation (NG) engines.

The discussion took firm ground on Monday when the President of CFM, Jean-Paul Ebanga  visited the headquarters of Arik Air at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to affirm the importance of the airline to the company and also show commitment to the planned partnership.

Ebanga who toured Arik Air’s facilities at its headquarters said that he was impressed by the progress the airline has recorded in just eight years of its commercial operations, adding that Arik would soon be one of the leading airlines in Africa.

“What the Chairman of Arik Air, Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide  is doing right now is to do, not to talk. He is bringing the needed change in air transport in Nigeria. In three to four years from now Africa will be the most populated continent with growing middle class. We have CFM engines in many aircraft operating in Africa. So we grow with Africa’s economy as the middle class becomes empowered by the on-going economic growth. I think the population of CFM engines in Africa is the biggest one. I think we have about 900 engines flying all over Africa and the engines are behaving very well,” Ebanga said.

The President of CFM also observed that for African airlines to be competitive they have to operate new and modern equipment as Arik Air is doing, engage the services of skilled manpower and operate modern system that would dovetail with operators in other parts of the world because every airline in the world is competing at the same level because all have access to the same market.

“I think one of the challenges of Africa is that Africa is now part of the global economy and African airlines are competing with all the other airlines in the world. I think African airlines will have to keep up with the skills, organisational efficiency to be able to compare with the best airlines in the world. This is what is already in progress. Arik is one of such airlines in Africa. They are using the top notch aircraft like other companies in the world. Of course, there are challenges but the leaders of these airlines in Africa understand those challenges,” the CFM President said.

Chairman of Arik Air, Arumemi-Ikhide explained that the airline and CFM International talked about partnership, the development of indigenous manpower and technical support of the company to the airline.

“We set up two working groups made up of people from their side and our side and we are looking at issues of Harmattan on our engines and you know we are going to build MRO. They are going to let us know what role they will play there. We are going to start a lot of work locally but they must have to be of international standard. Nigerians are well trained. We have skilled people all over the world. Like he said, it is one step after the other but government must support. Without government’s support, we cannot do anything,” he said.

Arik Air strengthens Dakar route

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest carrier is extending its Abuja-Accra service to Dakar, Senegal from March 24, 2015. Similarly, the Lagos-Dakar service will be strengthened to six weekly flights with a new thrice weekly Lagos-Accra-Dakar service.

The Abuja-Accra-Dakar service which was first introduced in February 2014 was suspended in the wake of the Ebola disease outbreak in July 2014. Though the Abuja-Accra service is a daily service, the extension to Dakar will operate thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Arik Air Deputy Managing Director/Senior Vice President, Operations, Captain Ado Sanusi commented:

“As the dominant commercial airline in West and Central Africa, Arik Air is always seeking to strengthen its services in the region to give guests comfort and value for money. We are ready to provide greater choice and a convenient, accessible network to our valued guests in the West Coast of Africa.”

Certification of Lagos and Abuja airports underway-DG NCAA … NCAA prepares for major audits

Capt. Muhtar Usman DG NCAA

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority is making serious effort to see that Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and  the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja international airports in the country are certified. This is coming as a concern as none of the over 22 airports in Nigeria has gone through any level of certification before. In his reaction to this concern, the Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman said, “We are putting our best to ensure that at least the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and  the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja are certified soon.” The DG gave this assurance at the dinner with the aviation correspondents under the aegis of League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, LAAC.

Capt. Usman also made known the regulatory authority’s   preparation towards two major audits this year. “Let me use this opportunity to inform you that Nigeria is preparing for the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Security Audit in June, 2015 and the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) in November, this year. The ICAO USOAP was established in accordance with strategic objective A3 to ‘’conduct aviation safety oversight audits to identify deficiencies and encourage their resolutions by contracting states.’’ The programme is managed by ICAO Safety Audit Oversight Section.”

Explaining the aim of the audits the DG said, “The objective of USOAP is to promote global aviation safety. ICAO does this by auditing the contracting states on a regular basis. This is to determine the States’ capability for safety oversight.

ICAO assesses the effectiveness of implementation of the critical elements of a safety oversight system and the status of States’ implementation of safety – related ICAO standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).”

NANTA Commissions National Secretariat in Lagos, holds AGM

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, NANTA commissions an ultra- modern   two-storey complex which will serve as the national secretariat of association.  According to NANTA's National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Ngozi Ngoka, “Several dignitaries from the travel and tourism sector including the DG, NCAA and Country manager's of all the airlines and GDS's are expected to grace the occasion today being the 23^th March, 2015.”

The commissioning will proceed the 39th Annual General Meeting, AGM of the association which will hold the next day (25^th March, 2015) at the Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, Lagos. Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Ngozi Ngoka,  confirms that a panel of discussants will discuss the theme : "Consolidation in the Travel Industry- the way forward"

Giving  her voice to the new edifice by NANTA, Margaret Ekerete  the  Chairperson of the Building Committee said, “ it has been the dream of every National Executive Committee to have a national secretariat worthy of the nation-wide professional body, the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies. We now have a worthy home that clearly expresses our position as a force in the market place.

Our members have been vital and enourmously supportive of this project and we have been fortunate to have been able to raise the funds largely from within our own ranks. We each and every one of us deserve praise and can be proud of our achievement.”

Talking about support received to actualise  the project she further expressed that, “Since we were largely able to raise our own funds, we have not had the pressure of having to solicit too hard for assistance. However some of the airlines, notably Delta, Emirates and BA have given us tickets, funds and some items in lieu of funds that have been much appreciated. I believe we will receive yet more support as our partners in the airlines, the GDS's and our insurance provider see what we have done so far.”

Concerning the AGM Mrs. Ngoka said the theme of this year is chosen because consolidation is the future of the industry and that they do not want to be left out of the swing at which the industry is going globally.

Stakeholders in the travel industry such as Global Distribution Service, GDS operators, airlines, insurance among others will be participating at the AGM.

Chidoka’s Stimulus Plan

Osita Chidoka, Minister of Aviation

Chidoka’s Stimulus Plan

Last week, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka was in London. It was an opportunity for him to impress the international community with his plans to grow the budding, but fast-paced Nigerian aviation industry.

The venue was the famous Chatham House, where Chidoka told his audience that what the country’s aviation industry needed was an “economic stimulus” plan to get out of the wood.

It was a special moment and everyone listened with rapt attention -- an almost magical moment that lit up the hall.

Really, for several years, the country’s policymakers have waffled over such an idea, while the Nigerian airlines continue to flounder.

Now, the minister has put back the thorny issue of financing the industry on the front burner. “That is just exactly what the industry needs”, he said. “By introducing some initiatives, we are beginning to feel the pulse of the industry.”

Taking a comparative approach to justify the need for his plan, Chidoka said that several thriving airlines around the world have typically enjoyed or continue to enjoy government financial and material support. According to him, among them are three US airlines—Delta Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines – which have received over $40 billion in US government subsidies in the past decade.

Thus, the Nigerian aviation leader unfolded the key components of his novel idea to include economic stimulus plan and a strategic framework for the growth of the industry.  According to him, the stimulus plan “would involve a package of financial incentives that will provide support across the aviation value chain.”

Mr Chidoka impressed his audience with the idea of a Nigerian aviation industry growth plan, which everyone in the audience gave support to as clear-cut vision being driven by a clear-headed person.

The focus areas as identified by the minister were: airline operation and safety, aerodrome infrastructure and operation, airspace management, aviation allied services and manpower development.

It was clear from his analysis that the country’s aviation industry was underperforming in terms of its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, Chidoka said.

At a current GDP of N80.3 trillion or $509.9 billion, Nigeria’s aviation industry contributes a paltry $0.7 billion, which in percentage terms, is less than one per cent, about 0.4 per cent of GDP. Comparatively, the aviation industry contributes 27 per cent to Dubai (UAE)’s  GDP  and  2.1 per cent to the South African economy. 

The minister attributed this dismal performance to current “gaps” in the system which, he said have hampered growth in the sector.

These gaps include: “underfinanced domestic airlines, underutilised BASA (bilateral Air Service Agreements), poor incentives for private sector participation and weak corporate governance in the industry.

Clearly, Mr  Chidoka is leaving no one in doubt as to the direction of things in his ministry.

The new strategies, the Nigerian Aviation Industry Strategy Framework and the Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP) will ensure he achieves his plan.

Whereas, the ESP may form a key part of a broader Industry Strategy Framework, these may actually be complementary. The ESP will target the funding problems of domestic airlines with the mission to ameliorate them.

This focuses boldly on confronting the financial challenges that have dogged domestic airlines.

To be sure, the Jonathan administration remains irrevocably committed to completing the physical and structural transformation of the country’s airports by carrying through with the airport remodelling /rehabilitation programme and the building of five new state-of-the-art international airport terminals in the country—which have reached advanced stages.

 Last year, at several public meetings which the Aviation Minister held with industry stakeholders, especially domestic airline operators, service providers and trade unions —he had promised to take into consideration their advice while drawing up a policy framework to move the industry forward. Thus, it is believed that the new Aviation Industry Strategy Framework proposed by the minister as the new springboard to advance the industry incorporates the interest of key aviation stakeholders. Chidoka also wants to work more with the private sector as a key partner to achieve a majority of the goals and targets he has set for the country’s aviation industry. 

Nonetheless, Chidoka had made it clear several months ago when he assumed his position that he intends to continue with the aviation transformation agenda left behind by his predecessor. Yet, like a chessboard grandmaster, Chidoka has been tinkering with his ideas, hoping to find a perfect fit between the past and the present.

Though, the Aviation Transformation, which Chidoka had vowed to continue with, provides a broad set of goals and objectives for the industry, the minister’s newly fangled Nigerian aviation Industry Strategic Framework may provide the flight plan that will confront present challenges.

Chidoka’s ESP would not be the first in the industry.  A plan of such nature under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration led to the N17billion aviation intervention fund. Sadly, the fund crash-landed, failing to achieve its goal of ameliorating the funding problem of the industry. Chidoka is convinced he should take another shot at fixing the problem. The minister armed with proof of similar actions taken by western countries to assist their own airlines appears determined to convince Nigerians that this is the right flight plan.

On March 3, inside Chatham House in London, Chidoka gave convincing argument, providing data that showed that several airlines in the US,UAE, Europe and elsewhere in the world routinely receive financial assistance from their various governments. This support, as he pointed out, remains critical in not only keeping these airlines afloat but in ensuring that they flourish.  

The minister also unfolded an “action plan” which he argued would help to “achieve business growth” in the country’s aviation industry.

These are: Stimulate increased foreign direct investment in the sector; reduce industry risk and expand credit and aviation finance, tailored to industry requirements; stimulate equity investments through attractive and competitive incentives across the aviation value chain. 

Others are: facilitate government intervention and guarantees to boost industry performance and stimulate and facilitate local direct investment in sector.

The second stage of the action plan that would build on the success of the first one, according to Chidoka, will include the – creation of a robust regional hub and aviation city model that drives commercial; improve corporate governance and enterprise risk of industry operators; liberalise air space by implementing the Yamaussoukro Declaration; review government intervention model and move to commercial funding.        

Another area of focus that is dear to the minister’s heart is safety and passenger comfort. When he paid an unscheduled visit to inspect ongoing rehabilitation work at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja last year,Chidoka said the focus on security and safety was to ensure that the country retained its Category One air safety certification. Happily,this valuable recertification by the US FAA was achieved last year.

To check the "low level corruption" in the aviation industry, especially the airports across the country, the minister signed an MOU with the ICPC and directed FAAN, to partner the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, to check malpractices and enhance the delivery of efficient services. 

A few months ago, the minister inaugurated the first e-portal for the Nigerian Aviation Ministry and its agencies through which Nigerians and foreigners alike can interact with aviation officials including with his own office.

Through the e-portal, complaints can be sent directly to the minister. This cuts through bureaucratic red tape.

This communication channel, Chidoka hopes would improve the level of service delivery and customer satisfaction at our airports .The minister has also signed up with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC in order to improve corporate governance at the aviation agencies which interface with the public.

The launching of the Aviation Passenger Services Portal, APS, on December 6, 2014 and the Aviation Commits Initiative (ACI) on 3rd February 2015, passengers have been able to keep the airlines on their toes by promptly reporting any erring airline for appropriate sanctions.

This initiative has in no small way assisted passengers to be the “centre” of the concern of all aviation stakeholders. 

Passengers are protected under the new   Advocacy and enforcement of Customers Bill of Rights Policy initiatives.

This Customers Bill of Rights Policy has further been strengthened by Chidoka   with his introduction of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for monitoring, evaluating and improving performance of aviation workers. He also launched a sector- wide initiative Aviation Commits where all stakeholders in the industry commit to improve service delivery to the public.  Aviation parastatals, service providers and stakeholders were made to publicly commit to render prompt and reliable services to the public.

To check the "low level corruption" in the aviation industry, especially the airports across the country, the minister signed an MOU with the ICPC and directed  FAAN, to partner the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, to check malpractices and enhance the delivery of efficient services. 

Only last week, the Minister directed the immediate implementation of the Aviation Revenue Automation Project (ARAP) project within  60 days to plug leakages towards making the sector more competitive.

 Chidoka also provided insight into the direction of the country’s aviation industry. “As we gradually transit into a new era of aviation business, this government is ready to make sure that those turning the wheels of the industry, do so with ease,” he explained.

“At the end, we want to build an economic engine that offers a decent ROI to everyone who has a stake in the industry. We invite the private sector to take the cockpit while government clears you for takeoff,” the minister said extending invitation to private investors. 

Yakubu Dati

General Managers,

Corporate Affairs FAAN

NIGERIAN CAA DIRECTS ARIK AIR ON SECURITY

In order to augment security functions at the nation’s airport, The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman has directed the management of Arik Air to review their existing security arrangement around their aircraft when not in operation.

According to a statement by NCAA, “In the specific, the airline operator has been ordered to ensure the presence of static security guards at all times at its aircraft parking positions.

According to Captain Usman, this directive is consequent upon the stowaway incident involving an Arik aircraft A340 CS-TX on a scheduled service to JFK Airport, New York.

Therefore, in order to forestall any future occurrence and subsequent security breach, the airline needs to take urgent remedial actions.”

The statement further expressed that the Regulatory Authority clearly recognises the clause in the airline’s Approved Air Operator Security Programme that the responsibility of securing aircraft when not in service lies with the airport operator. However, as evident with recent developments, increased capacity is required to safeguard aircraft.

The DG therefore reiterates that static security guards be continually deployed to the foot of the aircraft when not in operation.

Capt. Usman added that this measure will subsist for this period pending when all investigations on the incident are concluded. Thereafter adequate measures will be established and implemented by all concerned stakeholders.

NAMA to deploy CPDLC, ADS-C to enhance airspace safety and efficiency

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA is bolstering its airspace management functions as it is ready to deploy Controller to Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) to improve aircraft communication throughout Nigerian airspace.  According to an on-line statement from SITA, “The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has selected SITA OnAir to enhance aircraft communications across Nigeria. SITA OnAir’s advanced systems will enable NAMA to comply with the recommendations of ICAO’s regional Air Navigation Plan and in doing so increase safety and efficiency in Nigerian airspace.

In this multi-year deal, SITA OnAir is supplying Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) solutions and services at the Lagos and Kano Control Centers to enhance long range data communication between air traffic controllers (ATC) and pilots.”

In his response towards the agreement, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, Managing Director, NAMA, said: “SITA OnAir is already well-known for its superior VHF datalink coverage on the African continent and with its highly reliable services SITA OnAir is the ideal partner for NAMA.  The new CPDLC systems at our air traffic control centers in Lagos and Kano will move voice traffic off congested frequencies and allow for accurate data exchange between the controllers and pilots.”

With this new ADS-C capability, the agency will receive automatic position reports from aircraft to its air traffic services. This will enable NAMA to acquire surveillance information from aircraft flying outside of radar coverage.

Philip Clinch, Vice President, AIRCOM, SITA OnAir, said: “NAMA is making significant changes that will ensure increased safety while boosting Nigeria’s airspace capacity. Besides the new FANS capability, NAMA will also benefit from SITA OnAir’s connectivity and technical support.”

Future Air Navigation System (FANS) is the protocol which airlines follow to manage increasing levels of air traffic. With it, an air traffic control center (ATC) can track aircraft along their full route. When an ATC has accurate position data, and knows exactly where an aircraft is, it can reduce distances between aircraft and safely allow more in the airspace.

The use of CPDLC will improve ATC communications in Nigerian airspace. NAMA handles an average of 550 flights daily across the nation’s airports and airlines could see improvement in communication and surveillance efficiency almost immediately.

Use of air-to-ground data link has been endorsed by ICAO as a key enabler in its vision of a performance-based Global Air Traffic Management system.

According to SITA, the benefits of CPDLC  is much. Supplementing traditional voice communications with direct data links between aircraft and Air Traffic Control, CPDLC allows controllers to handle more aircraft and manage them more safely.

Improved efficiency:  It Conserves scarce radio frequency resources .

Improved safety: It has no interpretation problems caused by poor voice quality or regional accents.

 Messages are sent directly between ATC and the aircraft concerned

Improved performance: Trials show very positive feedback from pilots and controllers, expected 11% capacity gain across the Link Airspace and expected 29% reduction in controller workload

FAAN HOLDS ACCIDENT SIMULATION EXERCISE AT MMIA

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will hold an emergency simulation exercise to demonstrate its preparedness for aircraft emergency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Tuesday(today) March 10, 2015.

The exercise, which is an ICAO mandatory requirement, is usually carried out every two years. The last one was held at the airport in 2013.

According to a statement from Yakubu Dati, the General Manager Corporate Communications of the agency, the exercise will be done in collaboration with other stakeholders in the industry including the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), all security agencies at the airport and other relevant agencies outside the airport such as the Lagos State Fire Services, and surrounding government hospitals.

The simulation exercise is designed to test the competence of the relevant airport personnel on ground as well as equipment used in handling real airport emergencies.

The Authority wishes to assure members of the public, especially airport users, that the exercise will not hamper flight operations neither will it affect airline schedules. They are also advised not to panic when they notice unusual movement of airport operational and security staff during the period.