Reps Direct FAAN to Recover N18.9bn from Airlines

The House of Representatives, through its Committee on Finance, has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to recover a total of N18.98 billion owed by foreign airlines within two weeks. This directive was issued during a session where FAAN's Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, appeared to discuss ongoing revenue monitoring.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Jame Abiodun Falek, raised concerns about the unacceptable accumulation of debts by international airlines operating in Nigeria, despite existing strict payment timelines. Kuku presented a breakdown of the debts, noting that Qatar Airways owes N1.5 billion, Lufthansa also has an outstanding debt of approximately N1.5 billion, and Virgin Atlantic owes N1.35 billion, among others.

The committee questioned why airlines were allowed to accumulate liabilities beyond the stipulated two-week payment window and demanded stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent further debt accumulation. FAAN's management explained the complexities of the international airline payment process but faced pressure from lawmakers for stricter compliance measures.