Why MMA2 should engage in regional operations

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos, has canvassed for the restoration of regional flight operations from the private terminal.

The terminal operator explained that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had approved it twice for MMA2 to commence regional flight operations, but wondered why the same regulatory agency cancelled the approvals.

Speaking at the terminal during the tour of its facilities, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BASL, Captain Jari Williams, emphasised that the organisation had spent several billions of naira to acquire state-of-the-art facilities in preparation for regional flight operations, but decried that the inconsistency in government policy despite the approval, had prevented it from using the facilities.

On the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) that prevented local and international passengers from mixing in the same terminal, Williams, said that several countries around the world had improved on the recommendation and today operate both flights from same terminal.

He specifically mentioned Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport,Abuja and Port Harcourt Airport respectively as two of the international airports where passengers are processed from the same terminal.

His words: “Aviation is a very dynamic industry. How many airports still separate regional from domestic operations? If a country decides to have international and local, I don’t think there is any problem about that. Anyone that is still saying that they do passenger separation is doing 1950 aviation.

He disclosed further that Arik Air, which hitherto refused to operate from the terminal had about a month ago, commenced charter flight operations from MMA2, stressing that as a business organisation, BASL would continue to engage the airlines and others to operate from its terminal as enshrined in the contractual agreement.