Airports reopening: FAAN, airlines differ over planned introduction of slot system

AS debate on how best the aviation industry should restart continues to rage on, there are divergent views following the planned introduction of slot system by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to curb a chaotic restart in the sub sector.

Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Hamisu Yadudu, had during the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) webinar titled: Nigeria’s Aviation Industry: Changing Times, Changing Strategies said good slots management would help achieve crowd control especially at Lagos airports while it may be relaxed in others.

According to the FAAN boss, if need be, he would not hesitate to summon a meeting of all concerned on how the slots should be revered under the present covid-19 dispensation and to remind every stakeholders of the benefit inherent in strict compliance to all the new guidelines.

Airlines, he said, would be compelled to strictly comply with slots allotted them stating that due regard for the slot arrangement would help in preventing chaotic situation at the airport especially in Lagos while other terminals may not pose as much challenge as Lagos would without slot arrangement.

He also said in the interim, meeters and greeters had no place in the reconfiguration of spaces at the terminals.

However reacting to that declaration, the Managing director of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema argued that government should not introduce the slot system stating arguing that all the major carriers in the country put together do not have up to 70 aircraft.

He said most airlines do not support the slot system because and there is a lot more that should be done for smooth operations which involves facility upgrades.

“All the six carriers do not have 70 aircraft and as airlines we have disagreed with the slot system as it will lead to a limitation of our flights. Like how do you determine who flies by 6am, 7am or 8am? And this limitation of flight will keep most of our equipment underutilized and may lead to sack. Remember no one does night flights, the environment is not ripe for it and so how many flights will we have daily, what will be the impact on our equipment,” Onyema said.

Meanwhile, According to Civil Aviation Air Transport Economic Regulations Part 18 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 18.8.6 Airport Slot Allocation Committee

18.8.6.1  Every  airport  operator  shall  establish  where  necessary,  a  Slot  Allocation  Committee, which shall ensure the continued access of airlines to the airport on a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory basis.

IS:I8.8.6.2. B  under Terms of Reference/Functions of the Airport Slots Allocation Committee (1.)To formulate the rules for the allocation and exchange of slots at designated international   airports   in   Nigeria,   on   a   fair,   transparent   and   non-discriminatory basis. (2.) To coordinate and monitor the scheduling process. (3.)To hold quarterly meetings except in case of emergency. The venue of the meetings  shall  be  as  determined  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Airport  Slot  Allocation Committee.( 4.) The  Airport  Slot  Allocation  Committee  shall  determine  its  own  rules  of  procedure.