FAAN distances self from Aero’s Bauchi ladder uproar

ANTHONY OMOH

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has moved to distance itself from the incident that took place at the Bauchi Airport, as it asked not to be dragged into the incident, further insisting that ‘nothing that happened that day was as a result of FAAN.’

This follows the allegation by the Aero Contractors that FAAN had no mashaller on ground at the Bauchi Airport to facilitate flights arrivals and departure.

A statement by FAAN spokesman, Yakubu Dati, alluded to the fact that the Bauchi Airport is managed by the Bauchi State Government and FAAN only provides statutory services at the airport such as aircraft marshalling, aviation security services and fire cover and does not over ground handling services.

”The attention of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has been drawn to some misleading and mischievous reports in some sections of the press, ascribing lapses in Aero Contractors use of unauthorized equipment at the Bauchi to the Authority.”

“Without prejudice to the directive given by the Honourable Minister of State for Aviation, for immediate investigation to determine the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate incident, we wish to clarify that Aero Contractors’ use of unauthorized equipment (ladder) to disembark its passengers does not have anything to do with FAAN.”

“The Bauchi Airport is managed by the Bauchi State Government and FAAN only provides statutory services at the airport such as aircraft marshalling, aviation security services and fire cover. The Authority does not provide handling services for Aero Contractors and therefore does not understand why it should be held responsible for non-provision of appropriate equipment for passenger disembarkation.”

“We also do not understand why the absence of marshallers on the apron, as claimed by the airline, could cause the use of unauthorized equipment for the disembarkation of passengers from the aircraft.

“We urge members of the public to discountenance any story linking FAAN, in any way, with the use of unauthorized equipment by Aero Contractors at the Bauchi Airport over the weekend.”