BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Management of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) has defended its recent increase in parking tariffs at the Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP), describing the move as a necessary intervention to tackle worsening congestion, chronic vehicle abandonment and mounting security concerns.
In a statement issued on April 13, 2026, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of MMA2, said the tariff review was not revenue-driven but a calculated operational response to restore order and ensure parking availability for genuine airport users.
According to the management, the MSCP, originally designed for short-term use by passengers and visitors, has increasingly been misused as a long-term parking facility by non-airport users, many of whom leave vehicles unattended for extended periods.
“Over time, the facility has been turned into a general parking space for the surrounding area,” the statement noted, adding that “vehicles have been left for days, weeks, months, and in extreme cases, years.”
The company added that the misuse has significantly reduced parking space turnover, forcing passengers to spend excessive time, sometimes over 30 minutes, searching for available spots.
The ripple effects, it noted, have been severe, with some travelers reportedly missing flights due to avoidable delays caused by parking gridlock.
MMA 2 management added that the situation has also worsened traffic congestion around the terminal frontage, particularly in drop-off and pick-up zones, undermining the overall passenger experience and disrupting traffic flow within the airport vicinity.
MMA2 management stressed that the increasing number of long-term and abandoned vehicles has placed unsustainable pressure on the facility’s operational and security systems.
Maintaining surveillance, structured access control, and safety oversight for vehicles left indefinitely comes at a significant cost and complexity.
“Such vehicles are often not associated with legitimate airport use, yet they demand the same level of monitoring and security,” the statement said. “This is not sustainable.”
To address the problem, the terminal operator revealed that several abandoned vehicles had already been identified and relocated to a separate secure holding area, freeing up space for active users and highlighting the scale of the challenge.
Beyond operational inefficiencies, the management warned that unattended vehicles pose serious safety and security risks, complicating monitoring efforts and increasing vulnerability within the facility.
The revised tariff structure, it explained, is aimed at discouraging long-term parking, improving space turnover, and ensuring that the MSCP serves its intended purpose, supporting short-term parking for passengers, pick-ups, drop-offs, and legitimate business activities within the terminal.
“The review is an operational necessity designed to restore order, reduce congestion, and maintain a safe, secure, and efficient environment,” the statement emphasised.
MMA2, which prides itself on maintaining one of the strongest safety and security records among airport terminals in the country, said the move aligns with its broader commitment to delivering a seamless passenger experience.
The management appealed for understanding and cooperation from passengers, visitors, and stakeholders, insisting that the measures are in the collective interest of improving terminal operations.
As pressure mounts on airport infrastructure amid rising passenger traffic, MMA2’s decisive action signals a shift toward stricter facility management, one that prioritizes efficiency, security, and user convenience over unchecked access.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
