BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), has engaged with its airline partners to enhance passenger experience, strengthen operational efficiency, and prepare the terminal for anticipated traffic growth.
The engagement series commenced with executive-level visits to United Nigeria Airlines, Aero Contractors and ValueJet Airlines, where BASL’s management team held in-depth discussions with the airlines’ Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers.
The conversations focused on operational performance during the high-traffic December travel season and the lessons required to support future expansion.
The meetings offered a platform for frank and forward-looking dialogue.
United Nigeria Airlines outlined its fleet expansion strategy for 2026 and stressed the urgency of ensuring that terminal capacity, infrastructure development, and operational coordination scale in step with airline growth.
Aero Contractors and ValueJet Airlines echoed these concerns, highlighting the need for more effective crowd control systems and streamlined passenger processes to sustain smooth operations as demand intensifies.
In response, BASL’s management, led by Remi Jibodu, Ag. COO/Head of Aeronautical and Cargo Services, acknowledged that passenger travel behavior and demand patterns have evolved significantly over the nearly two decades of MMA2’s operations.
He detailed a blend of immediate and medium-term initiatives designed to stabilize terminal operations and elevate the overall passenger journey.
Short-term interventions include the deployment of mobile check-in counters to boost processing capacity during peak travel periods, enhanced crowd management mechanisms, and the reinforcement of security and baggage handling teams with additional manpower.
These steps are aimed at reducing congestion, accelerating passenger throughput, and improving comfort within the terminal environment.
On the medium-term horizon, BASL plans to introduce an IATA-aligned slot coordination framework that will enable more balanced scheduling between airline demand and available terminal and airside capacity.
The company also intends to reintroduce self-check-in kiosks to simplify passenger processing and ease pressure on conventional service counters.
Further initiatives include apron decongestion strategies, stricter aircraft parking discipline, and the possible implementation of a progressive fee structure to discourage prolonged aircraft parking on the apron.
BASL also outlined plans to upgrade baggage handling systems, ensuring faster, smoother, and more reliable luggage processing across the terminal.
During the sessions, BASL sought airline buy-in for the proposed slot guidelines, emphasizing that the framework will be transparent, commercially considerate, and aligned with airlines’ revenue strategies while prioritizing excellent passenger experience.
The company underscored that sustainable operational improvements will depend heavily on close collaboration between terminal operators and airline partners.
The engagement also spotlighted the need for stronger data transparency and synchronized communication.
Discussions explored the development of a digital platform capable of delivering accurate, real-time operational updates to airlines and other stakeholders.
Such a system is expected to enhance planning efficiency, improve information flow, and boost overall confidence in flight operations.
Beyond airside operations, BASL addressed landside traffic challenges, engaging airlines on plans to strengthen coordination with traffic management agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASMA).
The objective is to ease road congestion around MMA2 during peak travel periods and improve access for passengers and airport users.
Reaffirming its long-term vision, BASL pledged to maintain consistent engagement with airline partners, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
The company reiterated its commitment to delivering safe, efficient, and passenger-focused services at MMA2, while supporting sustainable growth within Nigeria’s evolving aviation ecosystem.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
