Aviation stakeholders have called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to take steps towards collaborating with other industry stakeholders and government agencies to achieve a 50 per cent carbon emission reduction in the industry by 2060.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the second edition of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria conference held in Abuja recently.
The conference resolved to take action on several fronts, primarily aimed at promoting economic, social, environmental, and technological sustainability.
The fallout of the conference included a call for the NCAA to enhance its regulatory oversight to encourage and reposition the industry towards sustainability.
According to stakeholders at the conference, data harmonisation is a vital component for the development and growth of the industry, and thus there is a need for the establishment of a credible data repository that allows for proper data analytics, which is important for adequate planning and decision-making.
“The NCAA should enhance its regulatory oversight to encourage, or where necessary, reposition the industry to contribute significantly to the nation’s economy through the four basic pillars of economic, social, environmental, and information technology and digitalisation.
“Environment: NCAA should collaborate with other industry stakeholders and government agencies to achieve a 50 per cent carbon emission reduction by 2060,” the communiqué read.
To this end, the airlines in Nigeria were also urged to invest in satellite-based navigation systems already provided by NAMA, adding that those systems could reduce both flight time and carbon emissions.
The communiqué further revealed that the airport’s business model was also highlighted; calling for a shift from being just a passenger hub to an energy hub, with the embrace of sustainable, green energy concepts.
The conference also identified the health and well-being of aviation workers as a critical and verifiable element to sustainable aviation development.
Finally, FAAN was called upon to make its airports more tourist-friendly, while the other stakeholders were urged to allocate budgets and personnel for carbon emission reductions.
“FAAN should make its airport tourist-friendly,” the communiqué stated.
Domestic Network Alliance (code-share) was also recommended to facilitate ease of travel for passengers and mitigate the disruptions of passengers’ travel schedules and plans.
