FAAN Reduces Processing Time for International Passengers with Improved Airport Infrastructure at MMIA

Chinedu Eze

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reduced passenger facilitation time from two hours to one hour with improved infrastructure, introduction of electronic gates and suspension of paper work at the D-Wing of the old international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

FAAN management has also deployed state-of-the-art scanning machines from the entrance of the airport terminal to the central search, where passengers are screened; trained and deployed more Aviation Security (AVSEC) to further reduce delays and make it easier for passenger movement.

Facility tour carried out by THISDAY at the terminal yesterday revealed that FAAN has achieved zero passenger delay even at peak hours because of the new facilities put in place at the D-Wing by the agency.

FAAN had also installed similar facilities at the E-Wing of the terminal and the transformation of the two wings was done in collaboration with the United Bank for Africa Plc.

Before the remodeling, the D-Wing was marked by congestion and outdated infrastructure, but it now offers streamlined processing, improved aesthetics, and smart technology integration.

It also connects directly with the new international terminal, allowing seamless transitions between wings.

THISDAY learnt the design was in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommended standard passenger flow model, which recommends that a traveler should move from terminal entry to departure gate – or from disembarkation to exit – in under 45 minutes.

Senior official of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) in charge of passenger handling at the terminal who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, told THISDAY that tremendous changes have taken place at the D-Wing of the terminal.

“You have more counters processing passengers now. And then the design has taken into consideration all the enhancing facilities to increase the requirement.

“The ICAO requirement is that passenger flows through an airport terminal within 45 minutes from vehicle entrance to inside. And 45 minutes from coming off the plane to going out.

“So, this complies with that and it’s done by FAAN under something called a passenger flow process. So, it just increases the throughput of passengers and it’s easier. And you can see the ambience is a lot more modern and all that.”

He said that many activities that are hitherto manual have been automated and attributed the remarkable work done to the FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, saying that she has tremendously transformed the airport.

“There’s the E-gates that’s been introduced. And then the passport reader is much quicker. One of the things that’s just improved now – for example – if you remember in the past, you had to fill the immigration form and all that.

“It’s all automated now. Just put your passport from the E-gate. Then by the time you’re here (Immigration counter), they just check your passport. So, all that filling of forms and all that are gone.

“It’s really improved. The Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has done a marvelous job. She has improved FAAN by 200 per cent,” he said.

On the deployment of modern scanners, the NAHCO official told THISDAY, “FAAN has just brought brand new scanners for AVSEC personnel. So, the process is very quick now.

“A passenger doesn’t need to ask questions anymore. Airline crew are screened. In the past, crew were just writing in books and all that. Now they’re screened. So, there’s a lot of changes. A lot of things have changed.

“The normal experience for departure is that it was about two hours before the flight. During COVID, it increased to three hours before the flight. Right now, you need an hour before your flight. It has improved significantly. The airport facilities are now in the 21st century.”