The management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja, has introduced and commissioned park-and-pay automated machines to help generate more funds for the Federal Government.
The regional general manager/airport manager of NAIA Abuja, Kabir Mohammed who commissioned the automated service during the commemoration of the airport’s 40th anniversary, said car owners will be dealing with a machine and not direct with humans.
“The machine is going to be operated by humans; car owners do not have direct interphase with the operators.
“The operation will commence from October 2, 2022 [and] we will ensure complete satisfaction,” he stated.
According to Mohammed, NAIA, named after Nigeria’s first president, foremost nationalist and one of the country’s founding fathers, Late Dr. Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe (GCFR), serves the nation’s capital, visiting dignitaries, high-ranking government officials and other Nigerians visiting the city for business or leisure.
“The airport has five terminals, namely domestic, international, pilgrims, cargo and VIP terminals. The terminals are a three-minute walk from each other. Plans to construct a second runway to increase the capacity of the airport are already at an advanced stage.
“The airport currently has eight domestic airlines operating with a daily average of 65 flights and 11,774 passengers, 12 international carriers with an average of 10 flights and 3034 passengers daily. As of August 2022, NAIA has processed 3,247,484 domestic and 638,502 international passengers,” he disclosed.
Earlier in his remarks, the managing director/chief executive, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Rabiu Yadudu disclosed that the airport is not just one of Nigeria’s most important airports in terms of positioning, capacity and revenue generation; it also serves Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, the seat of national governance and, thus, is both strategic and highly significant.
Yadudu, represented by the director of airport operations (DAO), FAAN, Capt. Muktar Muye said: “The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja came into being 40 years ago. I am glad that the airport has continued to grow in leaps and bounds since then. In the year 2021, for example, a total of 5,323,905 passengers passed through the airport, signifying a whopping 37.23 per cent increase on the figures for 2020. In terms of the facility upgrades, the airport also has been quite progressive.
“For example, in 2017, the airport was closed to flight operations for comprehensive runway rehabilitation. Also, President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government completed and commissioned a world-class, international terminal, with a passenger processing capacity of 15 million per annum at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, on December 20, 2018. ‘Terminal D’ of the airport was also completed and commissioned, while the airport has been linked to the railway line in Abuja, making for seamless movement of passengers to and from the airport.
“Additionally, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audited the airport and certified it safe and secure for flight operations, with a 96 per cent score in 2018. The process of recertification has commenced and is currently ongoing. Also, the Federal Government has approved the construction of the second runway for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,” he said.
The trajectory of progress has been upward ever since, as passengers and stakeholders have commended the level of facilities and service delivery at the airport. As a testament to this, the airport was adjudged the Best Airport in Safety for the year 2018 by Airport Council International, Africa region. The airport also received ACI’s Airport Service Quality Award in 2020, amongst several other awards.
