FAAN Unveils New Framework To Boost Air Cargo Operations, Revenue

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commenced moves to overhaul the operational and regulatory framework governing air cargo activities at Nigerian airports, as part of efforts to improve efficiency, increase revenue and strengthen the sector’s contribution to the nation’s economic growth.

The authority said the initiative would involve stronger collaboration with licensed customs agents and other stakeholders across the cargo value chain, as well as the deployment of biometric identification, digital systems and improved infrastructure at airport cargo facilities.

The development was disclosed at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the FAAN Directorate of Cargo Development and Services in Lagos, where officials and licensed customs agents discussed challenges affecting cargo operations and possible measures to improve service delivery.

Speaking at the meeting, the Regional General Manager, South West Airports, FAAN, Tokunbo Arewa, said the authority was committed to maintaining regular engagements with stakeholders to obtain feedback and address operational concerns.

Arewa explained that the meeting was specifically designed to provide customs agents with an opportunity to raise concerns over charges paid to FAAN and the quality of services provided at the airports.

He said FAAN was interested in determining whether its operations were meeting stakeholders’ expectations, stressing that the authority did not want to collect charges without providing commensurate value.

According to him, the engagement would also enable stakeholders to understand FAAN’s plans and assess its operations against international practices.

The Terminal Manager, Hajj and Cargo, FAAN, Adedayo Alale, called for stronger interaction between the authority and licensed customs agents, saying regular dialogue would help improve service delivery.

Alale said the stakeholders were financially contributing to airport operations and therefore needed an avenue to provide feedback on the services they received.

He added that FAAN would consider the concerns raised during the engagement with a view to strengthening cooperation and improving cargo operations.

Also speaking, the Director, Cargo Development Services, FAAN, Lekan Thomas, said the establishment of a dedicated cargo directorate reflected the Federal Government’s growing recognition of air cargo as an important driver of economic development.

Thomas explained that cargo activities were previously managed as a small unit under the Business and Commercial Directorate before the creation of the dedicated directorate.

He said the development was consistent with the government’s broader economic ambitions, particularly the drive to expand trade and exports and position the aviation sector as a major contributor to the economy.

According to him, the cargo directorate had spent the last three years identifying operational and infrastructural challenges affecting the sector and had begun implementing measures to address the identified gaps.

Thomas disclosed that efforts to eliminate operational and revenue leakages had already produced significant improvements in FAAN’s revenue, with some areas recording increases of between 40 and 80 per cent as a result of improved processes.

He added that FAAN was working with relevant government agencies on Memoranda of Understanding aimed at clearly defining their responsibilities and improving coordination within cargo facilities.

The director said the authority was also providing appropriate spaces for government agencies operating within public warehouses while taking measures to prevent indiscriminate parking around cargo facilities and ensure that access routes remained available for cargo movement.

Thomas further disclosed that FAAN was preparing to introduce an access control system by the end of 2026 or in the first quarter of 2027.

He said the system would ensure that only authorised personnel gained access to cargo terminals, with documentation and verification carried out in collaboration with agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The system, he added, was expected to be digitised to make it easier for licensed companies to onboard new employees without having to repeat the entire documentation process.

FAAN is also working on the introduction of a truck call-up system and seeking additional truck holding areas to reduce congestion and facilitate the movement of cargo around airport terminals.

Thomas said the authority was engaging ground handling companies on warehouse capacity and other operational challenges, noting that existing facilities were increasingly coming under pressure as cargo volumes continued to rise.

He urged licensed customs agents to improve their knowledge of packaging standards and other requirements needed to support the expansion of Nigeria’s export market.

The FAAN official said the authority was prepared to support stakeholders through relevant training, adding that the ongoing initiatives were designed to improve efficiency, facilitate business growth and enhance profitability across the cargo value chain.

The General Manager, FAAN Cargo Directorate, Rekia Alao, said the engagement was also aimed at encouraging licensed customs agents to embrace FAAN’s digital initiatives and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.

Alao said improved coordination would contribute to the development of the cargo sector and help reduce cargo dwell time at airports.

She disclosed that the stakeholders’ engagement would become a regular exercise, with FAAN planning to hold similar meetings at least twice a year or more frequently where necessary.

According to her, sustained engagement would enable the authority and customs agents to identify challenges early and jointly develop workable solutions.

Meanwhile, the Head, Cargo Department, FAAN, John Ogbe, highlighted ongoing infrastructure upgrades at the cargo terminal, including road rehabilitation, street lighting, installation of CCTV cameras and construction of additional toilet facilities.

Ogbe said biometric access systems were also being developed as part of efforts to strengthen security and improve operational efficiency within the cargo environment.

The stakeholders’ engagement ultimately provided a platform for licensed customs agents to raise concerns and make recommendations on cargo processing, security, infrastructure, access control and other issues affecting business operations at Nigerian airports.