In a surprise move, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the immediate scrapping of the daily access gate fee at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. 

This decision has been met with widespread relief and applause from travelers, airport users, and stakeholders in the aviation industry.

The access gate fee, also known as the "gate pass fee," was introduced by FAAN in 2013 as a way to generate additional revenue for the agency. 

The fee, which ranged from ₦500 to ₦1,000 per person, was payable by all individuals seeking to access the airport's terminal buildings, including travelers, airport workers, and visitors.

Over the years, the access gate fee has been the subject of intense criticism and controversy. 

Many travelers and airport users have complained about the additional financial burden imposed by the fee, which they argued was unnecessary and excessive. 

Others have criticized the fee as a form of double taxation, given that travelers already pay various other fees and charges, including airport taxes and ticket fees.

The access gate fee has also had significant economic implications for businesses and individuals operating at the airport. 

For example, airport workers, including airline staff, ground handlers, and concessionaires, have had to pay the fee on a daily basis, which has added to their operational costs. 

Similarly, travelers and visitors have had to factor the fee into their travel budgets, which has increased the overall cost of traveling through the airport.

According to FAAN, the decision to scrap the access gate fee was taken in response to widespread criticism and complaints from airport users and stakeholders. 

The agency has also stated that the fee was no longer necessary, given the implementation of other revenue-generating measures, including the Airport Development Levy (ADL).

The scrapping of the access gate fee is expected to have significant implications for travelers, airport users, and stakeholders in the aviation industry. 

Some of the expected benefits include reduced financial burden on travelers and airport users, increased accessibility to the airport's terminal buildings, improved customer experience and satisfaction, and enhanced competitiveness of the airport and the Nigerian aviation industry.

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