Travel/Tourism
Taxes, Infrastructure, Others Top IATA Agenda at AACO
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has highlighted four priorities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) which must be addressed for aviation to deliver maximum economic and social benefits.
These issues are sufficient and affordable infrastructure capacity (including air traffic management), aligned with user needs; curbing the spate of unprecedented increases in taxes and charges over the last year; aligning consumer protection regulations with global standards; enhancing security efforts and infrastructure in MENA reflects the foresight of Governments in the region to capture aviation’s economic and social benefits.
It was gathered that passenger demand in MENA is set to expand by 4.8 percent each year on average over the next 20 years, to become a market of 400 million passengers in 2035.
If that demand is met, the number of jobs supported by aviation in the region will grow from 2.4 million to 3.9 million over the same period. And aviation’s contribution to regional GDP will increase from $157.2 billion to $359.5 billion.
“Aviation is the business of freedom. Its success generates prosperity. A safe, secure, efficient and sustainable air transport industry contributes to the welfare of nations. Strengthening aviation, in partnership with governments, pays huge social and economic dividends.
“Airlines in MENA face very different business challenges. But whether building or protecting competitiveness, cost-efficient infrastructure, global standards, reasonable costs and secure operations are critical,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, during his opening remarks at the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) 49th Annual General Meeting in Casablanca, Morocco.
De Juniac urged the region to address four key areas:
Infrastructure: “Infrastructure in MENA reflects the foresight of Governments in the region to capture aviation’s economic and social benefits. However to keep this competitive advantage, continuous consultation is needed so that capital expenditure aligns with industry growth, required service levels and acceptable costs,” said de Juniac.
De Juniac also sounded a note of caution on infrastructure privatization and urged governments to effectively balance public and private interests. “The desire to harness commercial discipline in managing airports is understandable. But, despite many airport privatizations around the world we have not seen any outcomes that have truly met expectations. It’s important to learn from experiences elsewhere, especially ensuring that any privatization is driven by real user consultation throughout the process,” said de Juniac.
De Juniac also called for cooperation to modernize air traffic management (ATM) in the region. “Studies show that the average ATM delay in the Gulf is 29 minutes with the potential to double by 2025. Without an increase in the overall efficiency of the ATM systems in the region through improved airspace design, MENA’s world-class hubs will be compromised with gridlock. We appreciate the many programs that are in progress – including the GCC Air Navigation Committee, the Middle East ATM Enhancement Program and others. But we must drive these efforts even harder to achieve a real breakthrough,” said de Juniac.
Rising costs: IATA urged cooperation to reverse unprecedented rises in taxes and charges – about $700 million in extra costs in 2015 alone. “Every dollar that a passenger spends in the region creates jobs and spreads prosperity. And every dollar collected in taxes or charges is an incentive for travelers to go elsewhere. A low cost structure is a key component of the region’s success—particularly in the Gulf,” said de Juniac.
Consumer Protection Regulations: IATA urged global standards to guide the proliferation of consumer protection initiatives in the region. Regulators in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Jordan and the Arab Civil Aviation Commission are in various stages of activity in this regard. De Juniac called on governments in the region to keep the global standards and recommended practices arrived at through the processes of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at the core of any developments.
Security: Security is a global issue. Keeping aviation secure is integral to a state’s responsibility for national security as highlighted in a UN Security Council Resolution earlier this year. Challenges include insider threats, landside exposure at airports, overflight of conflict zones, and cyber security. “Security is clearly a government responsibility. To stay a step ahead of those who would do aviation harm, intelligence gathering by governments and information sharing among governments and with industry is essential. Industry also plays a vital role in supporting their efforts. It’s a top priority for IATA and we will become even more active,” said de Juniac.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has unveiled 30 airport electric shuttle which will be used to complement airside and landside logistics.
The shuttle, which comprises 10 vehicles and 20 saloon cars, will cost N10,000 per passenger from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to the City Centre.
Speaking at the event, the governing board chairman of FAAN, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, said: “Electric vehicles offer clear operational and environmental benefits. They are cleaner, quieter and more energy-efficient, significantly reducing carbon emissions and helping FAAN minimise its ecological footprint. Their use will contribute to healthier airport environments and a more comfortable work and travel experience.
“From a logistics standpoint, electric vehicles also enhance monitoring, coordination and compliance. Their predictable performance and lower maintenance demands improve operational planning, accountability and service reliability. Ultimately, this translates into more efficient, transparent and passenger-friendly services.
“This initiative directly supports global sustainability targets, including International Civil Aviation Organisation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. By embracing electric mobility, FAAN is positioning Nigerian airports to remain competitive, responsible and future-ready.”
Mr Ganduje pledged the commitment of the board to ensure that the initiative is utilised, maintained, and expanded to other airports in the country.
On her part, the managing director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku noted that the agency has secured approval to deploy 100 electric vehicles to operate as airport shuttles at Lagos and Abuja airports.
“We have secured approval to deploy 100 Electric Vehicles (EVs) to operate as airport shuttles at both Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. It is a monumental step towards greening our operations and reducing our carbon footprint.”
“We proudly begin this journey with the first phase: the launch of these 10 state-of-the-art electric shuttle buses. They represent more than just transport; they symbolise cleaner air, quieter terminals, and a to pioneering sustainable infrastructure in Nigerian aviation”.
She expressed optimism that the initiative would be replicated across all airports in the country.
The head of Fleet Operations of Possible EVS, Mrs Abimbola Gyer while stating that the transport fare would be subsidised for passengers, added that operations would commence from 7am to 7pm daily.
“We partner with NEV Electric, the manufacturer of the electric buses. We would be moving passengers from the airport to the city centre at the rate of N10,000 and as demand continues, we will expand our hub. The operations will start from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m daily,” she noted.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The travel and tourism service powered by Interswitch, Quickteller Travel, has been issued a certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
With IATA certification, Quickteller Travel is now fully equipped to connect African travellers to global destinations, support airlines and partners with reliable distribution and settlement, and set a new standard for trusted, digitally enabled travel across the continent.
The IATA accreditation reinforces Quickteller Travel’s operational credibility, compliance standards, and ability to deliver secure, efficient, and globally recognised travel services.
It also strengthens the platform’s positioning as a reliable partner for airline bookings, corporate travel management, and end-to-end travel solutions across Africa and beyond.
The certification is a milestone that places the brand among a global network of trusted and accredited travel service providers.
This achievement comes at a time when Africa’s travel and tourism sector is experiencing renewed growth, driven by increased business travel, regional connectivity, and digital adoption.
With IATA certification, Quickteller Travel is poised to offer individuals, SMEs, corporate organisations, airlines, and other travel stakeholders a seamless digital experience, supported by Interswitch’s trusted payment infrastructure.
Integrated into the broader Quickteller and Interswitch ecosystem, Quickteller Travel combines global accreditation with local insight, offering African travellers and businesses a secure, seamless, and digitally empowered experience.
The Vice President for Transport Ecosystem at Interswitch, Ms Nnenna Ajanwachuku, said, “The IATA certification is a strong validation of Quickteller Travel’s operational standards, governance, and commitment to excellence. It enhances trust for travellers, corporate partners, and global airline stakeholders who rely on accredited platforms for secure and transparent travel transactions.
“For Interswitch, this milestone reinforces our mission to build technology-led solutions that unlock access, simplify commerce, and connect Africa to the global economy.”
Ms Ajanwachuku added that the approval would enable Quickteller Travel to deepen partnerships with airlines and travel service providers while offering customers greater confidence, choice, and value.
“Quickteller Travel is not just a booking platform; it is part of an ecosystem designed to make travel more accessible, reliable, and digitally enabled for Africans. Powered by Interswitch’s heritage of trust and innovation, we are building a platform that meets global standards while responding to local travel needs,” she said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Two key players in the Nigerian aviation industry, Emirates and Air Peace, have activated a bilateral interline agreement aimed to expand air connectivity between Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and London.
The two airline operators are building on their existing partnership to offer their passengers frictionless, single-ticket travel and with through-checked baggage, on select routes, resulting in greater travel comfort and convenience for customers.
Beyond the 13 cities in Nigeria already available for Emirates passengers on Air Peace’s network, the enhanced interline agreement now enables travellers to connect with Banjul in Gambia and Dakar in Senegal, both via Abidjan; and with Freetown in Sierra Leone and Monrovia in Liberia, both via Accra. The additional gateways allow more passengers in Africa to access Emirates world-class product and services, and vast global network.
The agreement allows Air Peace to connect its extensive West and Central African route system into Emirates’ hub in Dubai, and on key destinations including London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Stansted, Abidjan, Accra and, of course, Lagos.
With huge demand for travel between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, providing Air Peace passengers with increased choice, flexibility, and global reach.
Emirates operates a Boeing 777-300ER on its Dubai-Lagos route, providing travellers with one of the best experiences in the sky.
Passengers can dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus developed by a team of award-winning chefs complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages, while tuning in to over 6,500 channels of global entertainment – including Nollywood classics – on ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system.
As one of only two airlines operating a First Class cabin into Nigeria, Emirates offers an unrivalled travel experience defined by comfort, privacy and luxurious touches.
With a fleet of over 50 aircraft including Boeing 777s, Boeing 737s, Embraers, Air Peace operates an expanding network of domestic, regional, and international services, connecting major cities across Africa and beyond.
The airline remains committed to strengthening intra-African connectivity, supporting trade and tourism, and contributing meaningfully to economic development across the continent.
“Enhancing our interline partnership with Air Peace allows us to expand our footprint across more of Africa, creating new opportunities for people to fly better with Emirates, while helping international tourists explore more of the region, via Lagos.
“We remain committed to working with strategic partners such as Air Peace to further strengthen Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors,” the Chief Commercial Officer for Emirates, Mr Adnan Kazim, said.
His counterpart at Air Peace, Nowel Ngala, while commenting, said, “This interline agreement with Emirates represents a major step in Air Peace’s strategic vision to connect Africa more efficiently to global markets.
“By combining our strong regional presence with Emirates’ extensive international network, we are delivering seamless connectivity, improved travel experience, and greater access to key global destinations for African travellers. This partnership further reinforces Air Peace’s role as a critical bridge between Africa and the global aviation ecosystem.”
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