BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, has capped a demanding festive travel season with a strong operational performance, highlighting its reputation for resilience, flexibility and effective stakeholder coordination.
From airlines and ground handlers to critical service providers, the terminal said close collaboration was central to keeping flights moving and passengers comfortable during one of the busiest periods of the year.
Throughout the year-end rush, MMA2 worked hand-in-hand with airline partners and ground handling companies to deliver seamless operations, prioritising passenger safety, comfort and service continuity.
To ensure no flight was left behind, the terminal extended operating hours beyond scheduled shutdown periods on several occasions, accommodating late-night and delayed services common during peak travel windows.
These extensions were executed alongside routine daily maintenance, which continued without compromise to uphold safety standards, infrastructure integrity and operational efficiency.
Despite the spike in passenger numbers and aircraft movements that traditionally defines the festive season, MMA2 deployed additional operational and ground support measures in coordination with handling partners.
The result was smoother passenger facilitation, faster baggage processing and minimal disruption to airline schedules.
The proactive approach, management said, underlined the terminal’s commitment to reliability, service excellence and a consistently positive passenger experience—even under peak-demand pressure.
Reflecting on the season and outlining plans for the year ahead, Remi Jibodu, Head of Aeronautics & Cargo Services and Acting Chief Operating Officer, said lessons from the rush period would directly shape efficiency-enhancing initiatives in 2026.
“The year-end peak period highlighted the importance of structured coordination among all stakeholders operating within the terminal environment,” Jibodu said.
“In 2026, MMA2 will introduce a structured slot system to balance demand and capacity across the airport terminal.
“This initiative will improve aircraft movement coordination, reduce congestion throughout the terminal during peak periods, enhance on-time performance for our airline partners, and enable better planning and deployment by ground handling companies,” he noted.
According to him, the slot system is a core element of MMA2’s broader operational optimisation strategy and reflects the terminal’s determination to align with global best practices in apron and airside management.
By smoothing aircraft movements and matching capacity with demand, the terminal aims to curb bottlenecks that typically emerge during traffic surges.
Beyond the runway and apron, MMA2 also posted gains across its non-aeronautical services, further strengthening the passenger experience.
Kola Bamigboye, Head, Space & Premises Management and Acting COO, said the year under review marked a period of innovation and strong performance across customer-facing offerings.
“Over the past year, MMA2 achieved remarkable progress across its non-aeronautical services, driven by innovation and a deliberate focus on customer experience,” Bamigboye said.
His words; “From retail and concession management to enhanced passenger amenities, our objective has been to deliver a convenient, comfortable, and engaging terminal environment. We are well-positioned to sustain this momentum in 2026 by continuing to innovate and elevate the customer journey.”
Security and passenger-support systems also came under the spotlight during the festive rush.
Enhanced CCTV surveillance across the terminal proved critical in monitoring activities and enabling the prompt recovery of several lost or forgotten items, including personal belongings and travel documents.
Management said all recovered items were successfully returned to their owners, drawing commendations and positive testimonials from passengers who praised the terminal’s vigilance, professionalism and responsiveness.
To further support travellers during the busy season, MMA2 kept its customer experience email channel active throughout the period, ensuring swift acknowledgement, investigation and resolution of reported issues.
The proactive engagement mechanism, the terminal noted, boosted passenger confidence, shortened response times and improved overall service satisfaction during peak operations.
As traffic levels normalise in the new year, MMA2 says its focus is on consolidating the gains from the festive season while deepening collaboration with airlines, ground handlers, regulators and other players across the aviation value chain.
Continuous improvement, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction and stakeholder engagement remain central to its strategy.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
