IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON AIRLINE OPERATIONS OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ABUJA

Abstract
This study examined the impact of covid-19 pandemic on airline operations in Nigeria: a study on Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The major objective of the study is to examine impact of covid-19 pandemic on airline operations in Nigeria: a study on Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised 1,050 employees from the Finance and Accounts department; Cargo Development department; Aviation Security Services department; Commercial and Business Development department of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The Taro Yamane (1967) method was adopted to calculate the sample size which amounted to 290. The simple random sampling technique was adopted as the sampling technique of the study. simple percentages, frequency and ANOVA was used present the data collated. The researchers distributed a total of 290 questionnaire out of which 251 were retrieved and valid for analysis. Findings from the study revealed that Covid-19 significantly affected the operational funds of aviation agencies and the cut back in pay and invariably the retrenchment of some staff at the International Airport. The study concluded that the covid-19 pandemic had a major impact on the airline operations in Nigeria as it crippled the activities of the aviation industry. The study therefore recommended that the Nigerian government should support the reduction of operational expenses, including tax waivers for airline operators so as to sustain the long-term viability of the business, and to create the adequate framework to set-up the new Nigeria aviation industry.
Keywords
Covid-19, Airline Operations, Job Security, Federal Airports Authority, Nigeria