FAAN orders airlines to remove aircraft from Abuja airport ahead May 29

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has ordered airline operators to move their aircraft from the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja to alternate airports ahead of the presidential inauguration on May 29.

In a circular dated May 8, issued on Tuesday to operators, FAAN stated that the May 29 presidential inauguration is a high-security event for which safety and security must be enhanced.

“This is to inform you of a need to temporarily relocate your aircraft to alternate airports due to the upcoming Presidential inauguration slated for May 29th 2023,” the notice said.

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The circular with reference number: FAAN/ABJ/NAIA /RGM/NC/AM/1000/VOl-1 signed by the Regional General Manager (North Central), Airport, Kabir Mohammed, stated that “the Presidential inauguration is a high security event, and in order to ensure the safety and security of parties involved, it has become necessary to temporarily relocate all aircraft parked at the GAT to alternate airports.

“To this end, you are kindly requested to relocate your aircraft on or before 22 May, 2023,” FAAN said in the circular.

“We understand that this may cause some inconvenience for you, however the safety and security of all individuals involved in this event are our top priority. We believe that this temporary relocation is the best course of action in line with the best international practice.”

Stakeholders have however raised concerns stating that it will cost the airlines so much money to relocate their aircraft.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.