Airlines cancel flights as FAAN, oil marketers clash in Abuja

Airlines on Thursday cancelled and delayed flights out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, following a standoff between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the oil marketers over apron charges.

Many passengers were stranded at the airport when FAAN restricted oil marketers from accessing the airport to serve their client airlines.

It was learnt that many aircraft which landed at the airport yesterday and needed to refuel could not be attended to for hours, prompting massive flight delays while some airlines cancelled their flights.

FAAN was alleged to have increased the apron charge by over 200 per cent from N150,000 annually to N500,000, which the oil marketers kicked against.

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It was learnt that the marketers were still negotiating with the leadership of FAAN on a possible reduction of the charge when officials denied access to some of the marketers.

But a FAAN source said the increment was just 25 per cent and not 100 per cent as claimed by the marketers.

Daily Trust learnt that access was later granted to the marketers for three hours to refuel aircraft.

The Regional General Manager (North Central)/Airport Manager, NAIA, Kabiru Mohammed, who spoke on the development, explained that FAAN’s refusal to give the oil marketers access was due to the expiration of their apron passes and refusal to renew.

He explained that a memo was sent to them on April 1, 2023, to make the payment in order to gain access to the airport.

He further said the matter had been on for the past eight weeks and appealed for the understanding of other stakeholders affected by the situation.

Daily Trust reports that the standoff affected flights nationwide as many aircraft positioned by airlines to serve other sectors from Abuja were delayed.

Our correspondent learnt that Green Africa Airways had to cancel its Abuja-Akure flight which was fully booked.

Also, acting General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, explained that the apron pass  renewal was N200,000, adding that several appeals and reminders were sent to them to pay up but that they refused.