United Nigeria Airlines and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria have held a strategic meeting to deepen partnerships and advance industry development.

A statement on Tuesday  by the airline said the meeting focused on environmental safety, maintenance, repair and overhaul support, airport operating hours, infrastructure upgrades and UNA’s expansion plans.

UNA chairman Obiora Okonkwo warned that rising bird strikes posed serious operational and financial challenges for airlines.

He also cited limitations at sunrise and sunset airports and Category II facilities, saying restricted hours and inadequate infrastructure frequently disrupted schedules and caused delays.

Mr Okonkwo requested land allocation in Abuja to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility to strengthen local technical capacity. He further raised concerns over increasing incidents of unruly passenger behaviour at airports.

FAAN’s managing director, Olubunmi Kuku, said collaboration remained essential to improving safety standards and operational efficiency.

Ms Kuku said FAAN had identified key causes of bird strikes and was implementing improved grass and habitat management around airport environments.

She added that FAAN planned to upgrade airfield lighting at Category II airports to support extended operations. According to her, apron improvements were underway at Benin Airport, while lighting upgrades were planned for Jos Airport.

Ms Kuku pledged stricter enforcement against unruly passengers and expressed readiness to review the proposed request for land for the Abuja MRO.

She said FAAN hoped to fast-track the allocation to strengthen Nigeria’s local aircraft maintenance capacity.

(NAN)