International airlines operating in Nigeria pay a staggering N25 billion annually for the towing of their aircraft due to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) inability to import and install already procured aero bridges.
In developed nations, aero bridges facilitate swift and easy embarkation and disembarkation of passengers. However, in Nigeria, airlines are forced to pay exorbitant fees to ground handling companies to tow their aircraft to aero bridges, resulting in significant delays.
According to industry operators, ground handlers charge $1,350 to tow a large aircraft and $673 to tow a small aircraft. With approximately 990 aircraft landing and taking off from the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport monthly, and 11,880 aircraft movements annually, the total amount spent by international airlines on towing alone is estimated to be over N24.6 billion annually.
Aviation experts have condemned the situation, describing it as a possible connivance between ground handling companies and FAAN to exploit airline operators. Roland Iyayi, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, appealed to FAAN to ease the burden on operators by installing the automated machines.
Retired Capt. Mohammed Badamosi also urged FAAN to expedite action on the installation of the aero bridges, citing the additional financial burden on operators.
Despite repeated attempts to contact them, the Director of Airport Operations at FAAN, Abdullahi Mahmood, and the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, refused to respond to enquiries on the matter.
The procurement of 28 aero bridges in 2014 has been shrouded in controversy, with the machines still yet to be installed. The delay has resulted in significant financial losses for airline operators and inconvenience to passengers.
