UNA, FAAN meet to boost aviation safety, infrastructure

United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have held a strategic meeting to deepen partnerships and advance industry development.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos by the airline’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Chibuike Uloka.

The meeting focused on environmental safety, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul support, airport operating hours, infrastructure upgrades and UNA’s expansion plans.

UNA Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, warned that rising bird strikes posed serious operational and financial challenges for airlines.

He also cited limitations at sunrise and sunset airports and Category II facilities, saying restricted hours and inadequate infrastructure frequently disrupted schedules and caused delays.

Okonkwo requested land allocation in Abuja to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility to strengthen local technical capacity.

He further raised concerns over increasing incidents of unruly passenger behaviour at airports.

FAAN Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said collaboration remained essential to improving safety standards and operational efficiency.

Kuku said FAAN had identified key causes of bird strikes and was implementing improved grass and habitat management around airport environments.

She added that FAAN planned to upgrade airfield lighting at Category II airports to support extended operations.

According to her, apron improvements were underway at Benin Airport, while lighting upgrades were planned for Jos Airport.

Kuku pledged stricter enforcement against unruly passengers and expressed readiness to review the proposed Abuja MRO land request.

She said FAAN hoped to fast-track the allocation to strengthen Nigeria’s local aircraft maintenance capacity.