Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of the Terminal Two of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, has called for a strategic partnership between the Federal Government and airlines to harness the untapped revenue potential of regional flight operations.
BASL emphasised that aside from the significant revenue generation opportunities inherent in regional flight operations at the MMA2 in Lagos, the development would also help domestic airlines already operating at the terminal to save huge cost when they operate regional flights from the facility.
This call to action was made on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the BASL team to the PUNCH newspapers headquarters in Ogun State.
The team, which was led by the of Head of Aeronautics and Cargo Services, Mr Remi Jibodu, had in attendance the Head of Aviation Security, Monica Aguta; Head of Corporate Communications, Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi; and Media Executive, Funmi Ayanwusi.
Jibodu while responding to questions during the visit said launching regional flights at MMA2 would play a pivotal role in fostering the growth and advancement of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
With a wealth of experience and established facilities, BASL chief expressed confidence in the MMA2’s capacity to effectively handle regional flights at the facility.
“After 17 years of operation, we can still confirm that our facilities are under-utilised. Hence, our advocacy for regional flights. With existing infrastructure in place and two domestic airlines already operating regional flights, we’re well-equipped to accommodate and support such operations,” the team lead said.
“Additionally, exploring public-private partnerships presents an opportunity to attract investment and foster growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector. We must prioritise existing stakeholders while welcoming new investors to ensure sustainable development,” he added.
In 2016, BASL’s MMA2 was reportedly certified for regional flight operations by the Ministerial Committee on Airport Security and received regulatory approval to commence regional services.
The industry regulator, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, was among the agencies that had inspected the terminal, but it was yet to grant the final approval to kick-start regional flights.
Jibodu reiterated that the company possesses the necessary infrastructure to accommodate regional flights.
Furthermore, he underscored the importance of exploring public-private partnerships as a means to attracting investment and stimulating growth within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
In recent times, incidents of passenger misconduct, including physical and verbal abuse of airport and airline officials during flight delays, have been on the rise at the Lagos airport.
The MMA2 operator advised against passengers’ frequent misconduct while expressing commitment to improving customers’ experience.
With a focus on communication strategies and passenger education, BASL said it aimed to foster a culture of respect and enhance the overall airport experience.
As part of the measures to give optimum passenger satisfaction, BASL launched premium services, which among other things, offer separate check-in and check-out.
The team lead further noted, “We’ve observed instances where passengers, frustrated by flight delays, resort to mistreating airport and airline staff, which is unacceptable.
“To address this issue, we’ve implemented measures such as providing meals after a two-hour delay. However, some passengers may refuse meals and even cancel flights altogether,” he revealed.
BASL also unveiled a flight disruption guideline in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to mitigate delays and ensure passenger satisfaction.
“These guidelines aim to prevent such incidents and ensure a positive passenger experience. We’ve received positive feedback from the NCAA and airlines, emphasising the importance of prioritising passenger satisfaction and operational efficiency,” Jibowu stated.
The NCAA flight data for 2022 revealed 877 flight cancellations in Nigeria, with 795 by domestic airlines and 82 by international carriers. This indicates that domestic flights had over 90 er cent of the canceled flights.
According to the NCAA, in the first quarter of 2023, out of 3,073 international flights in the country, 1,193 were delayed.
According to Aguta, there will be a zero-tolerance policy towards abusive behaviour against airport and airline officials.
She recalled recent incidents, including a troubling encounter with a Dana Air official who was abused by a passenger.
Aguta expressed that BASL was committed to fostering a culture of respect and professionalism among passengers, ensuring that everyone understands the importance of respectful conduct at the airport.
Speaking during the meeting, Yinka-Olawuyi said it was sacrosanct for the media to help educate the passengers on how to conduct themselves appropriately at the airport.
She reeled our several steps MMA2 has taken to create optimum passenger experience and educate the passengers.
The BASL delegation was warmly received by the PUNCH team, led by the General Manager, Digital Operations and Publications, Mr Ademola Oni; Editorial Board Chairman, Mr. Obafemi Obadare, Associate/Group Business Editor, Mr. Oyetunji Abioye.
In his remarks, Oni underscored the imperative of adherence to aviation laws and regulations, following the observation of behavioural challenges at airports.
According to Oni, the conduct witnessed at airport mirrors broader societal attitudes and emphasised the necessity of enforcing existing laws to maintain order and ensure a positive passenger experience.
The GM noted that while the media plays a crucial role in educating passengers, it cannot enforce aviation laws.
He stressed the significance of regulatory compliance and urged all stakeholders to prioritise adherence to established protocols for the safety and well-being of all travelers.
“What we have seen at the airport is a reflection of the country that we live in. We have laws guiding every operation at the airport.
“The media can only educate the passengers but cannot implement those laws. Nigerians are becoming more sensitive to the socioeconomic situation of the country,” he added.