Lagos airport

Chinedu Eze

The Regional General Manager of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Edward Olarerin, has said by 2016 passenger movement at the airport would increase to 8.5 million.
Olalerin attributed this expected increase to the modernisation of the airport, which is on-going, adding that when the rehabilitation was completed, the airport would attract more airlines, which would boost the revenue of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
He disclosed that in 2011, the airport recorded movement of 6.7 million passengers, 96,599 aircraft movement and over 162 million kg of cargo.

So by 2016, passenger movement would be expected to rise from 6.7 million last year to 8.5 million and aircraft movement projected to rise from 96,559 to 124, 601.
Addressing airport managers in the South-west region, labour union members and other officials at the first regional assembly last weekend in Lagos, Olarerin said the Lagos airport would embark on a continuing programme of infrastructure upgrade till 2016, noting that the upgrade would be on innovation and customer focused service delivery.

“More airlines are expected to operate from Murtala Muhammed Airport because of improved infrastructure resulting from the current remodelling programme. Similarly, non-aeronautical revenue streams like retail outlets are expected to receive a boost,” Olarerin said.
He said that with improved infrastructure and services, the Lagos airport was expected not only to be investor-friendly but would also be a key player in the nation’s economic development.

“All these positive indicators would not have been possible without the vision and drive of the duo: Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah and the Managing Director of FAAN, George Uriesi. I challenge each and every one of you to be more innovative and constantly be on the lookout for growth opportunities in the various airports of the region,” he urged the airport managers.
Olalerin described the current restructuring of the agency as efficient deployment of human resources, which if carefully implemented would enhance the fortunes of the organisation towards the realisation of its strategic objectives.

“I wish to encourage all of you to embrace the attendant change and contribute your best in whatever capacity you find yourselves.”
Olarerin also said the South-west airports region had a pride of place in the comity of all the six regions in the country, so “it is not for nothing that the region is referred to as the goose that lays the golden eggs, or in another way, the proverbial milk cow of the authority.”
He remarked that maintaining that enviable position called for greater commitment and willingness on the part of all of the workers to embrace change and adapt new technologies in their efforts at providing customer centric services.