Saleh Dunoma, managing director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has charged African airport leaders to evolve solutions that are flexible in their approach to the ever-changing airport environment. Yakubu Dati, general manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, said Dunom made the remarks at the plenary session of the 24th Airports Council International, ACI, Africa Conference currently ongoing in Tunisia.

Dunoma also advocated interaction and collaboration with key stakeholders as necessary to enable the implementation of processes and procedures, in consonance with global trends in aviation management. Speaking further, he said, “Cost minimization and efficiency must be the watchword of any meaningful innovation at the airports due to the current global economic/financial challenges.”

Earlier at the opening ceremony, Mahmoud Ben Romdhane, Tunisia’s minister of Transport, while welcoming delegates identified the critical role of transport as a key driver. Angela Gittens, president of ACI World, said this year’s theme “Leadership and Innovation in Airport Management” was aimed at improving airport management, encouraging innovation in the sector and developing the leaders of tomorrow.

Speaking separately, Pascal Komla, president, ACI Africa and Ali Tousi, secretary, said the event was a unique opportunity for airports and other other aviation executives, experts and exhibitors from around the world to network, share information and forge a common vision for the future business of African airports.

Dunoma also attended to a retinue of investors and aviation stakeholders who thronged to the exhibition stand mounted by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.