Onwubuke Melvin
A strategic partnership between the Federal Government and airlines has been called for by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of Terminal 2 of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in order to exploit the untapped revenue potential of regional flight operations.
BASL pointed out that in addition to the significant revenue of regional air traffic operations at MMA2 Lagos, this development would also help domestic airlines already operating from the airport save a substantial operating cost when they engage in regional flights, according to The Punch.
This was disclosed 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.
In his remark, Jibodu said launching regional flights at MMA2 would play a pivotal role in fostering the growth and advancement of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
BASL’s chief believes that MMA2 has the capacity to manage regional flights efficiently within this facility, having a wealth of experience and an established infrastructure.
“After 17 years of operation, we can still confirm that our facilities are under-utilized. 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.”
“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 said.
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 underlined that the company is equipped to handle regional flights.
To attract investment and stimulate growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector, he emphasised the importance of working on Public Private Partnerships.
