By Chinelo Obogo
As the Eid-el-Fitri Sallah celebration approaches, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a stern warning to passengers, stating that it won’t tolerate unruly behavior during the expected surge in flight schedules and passenger traffic. The authority emphasised the need for travelers to remain calm and law-abiding despite flight delays, rescheduling, or cancellations.
Speaking at an Iftar dinner with the Lagos airport Muslim community, FAAN Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, represented by Director of Operations Captain Abdullahi Mahmood, urged passengers to exercise patience and understanding. She stressed that airlines do not intentionally delay or cancel flights without valid reasons and called for mutual respect between passengers and airline operators.
“We urge passengers to be guided by the law. Once you buy your ticket and arrive at the airport, challenges may arise, and it is important to handle such situations with maturity,” Mahmood stated. He condemned recent incidents of passengers resorting to violence and destroying airport and airline properties, describing such behavior as unacceptable. “I have never seen this happen anywhere else in the world. We need to be patient, understand our rights, and also respect the rights of the airlines,” he added.
Mahmood further emphasised the importance of punctuality and proper conduct at airports, urging passengers to arrive on time and maintain decorum. He assured travelers that FAAN is working to ensure all airports in the country meet operational standards, with facilities and runways in optimal condition to facilitate smooth travel during the festive period.
Captain Mahmood acknowledged the challenges in eradicating the practice but reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to tackling the problem. “We are sensitizing people and taking serious measures to address touting. While change may not happen overnight, we are prepared to face the resistance and continue the fight,” he said.