Expert urges Nigeria to make FAAN contribute 5% of airport revenue to safety agencies

Aviation safety expert John Ojikutu has urged Nigeria's House of Representatives to compel the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to allocate five percent of its commercial revenue towards funding aviation safety agencies. Ojikutu presented his proposal to the House Committee on Aviation, advocating for a thorough review of the existing sharing formula for charges collected from ticket sales, cargo, and chartered flights.

Ojikutu argued that the current distribution among the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, and Nigerian Meteorological Agency is neither logical nor aligned with their diverse responsibilities and operational needs. He suggested that the formula should consider factors such as personnel numbers, operational equipment, geographical reach, operating hours, and crucially, the safety mandates assigned to each institution.

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The non-aeronautical services that are mostly commercial operators’ services, which mainly are the airlines operators, cargo operators, etc., must necessarily include FAAN.

The expert emphasized that the five percent charges were initially established to ensure the sustainability of mandatory aviation safety services. However, he questioned whether the current allocation adequately addresses the on-ground realities, particularly the continuous investment required for critical infrastructure, equipment, and personnel. Ojikutu highlighted that agencies with significant operational and safety duties should not face funding shortages.

Central to Ojikutu's proposal is FAAN's role. He stated that FAAN should be recognized beyond its function as an airport infrastructure manager when discussing contributions to aviation safety funding. Ojikutu pointed out that FAAN generates considerable revenue from various commercial and non-aeronautical services, including terminal operations, landing and parking fees, cargo handling, car parks, and retail concessions. He contended that since these services contribute to the aviation ecosystem's revenue, FAAN should actively support the safety system underpinning airports and the broader industry.

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FAAN, being a commercial airport services operator, should contribute five per cent of its airport sales service charges into the