Multi-million naira facilities to enhance businesses at MMA2-BASL

To say that modern technology is the bedrock of aviation business development in the 21st century is simply stating an incontrovertible fact.

In developed climes, even developing countries are fast embracing the initiative as it is the only direction where all transactions and dealings in aviation, tend to now move.

In Nigeria, Bi-courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal two (MMA2), have been able to take a huge step forward in the aviation industry and more specifically in the field of airports’ management.

Today, one can say that MMA2 will be the only airport terminal in Nigeria to have solely installed the latest version of an IT system that enables the passengers and terminal users experience a fast, secure, safe and customer-friendly way to board flights.

Last week, it officially introduced the self-check-in, automatic e-gates and a full Baggage Reconciliation System.

“From the first idea of installing this system till today, it took the relentless efforts of our board, management team, various departments in BASL; the airlines; the ground handling companies, and the system providers, 18 months to achieve what we are inaugurating today.

“We at BASL didn’t want to do things halfway. We could have just installed a new system on the existing computers and limit ourselves to a basic check-in system,” Christophe Pennick, managing director of BASL, said at the official launch of the Common User Passenger Processing System (CUPPS).

According to him, the system is the same as installed in major international airports like Charles De Gaulle, Bangkok International; the brand new airport terminal in Mauritius and over 200 airports worldwide.

“We went the whole nine yards by changing all the check-in counters and scales and increased their number from 31 to 45. The design and manufacturing was done by the same company providing Amsterdam Schiphol and various other major international airports. The computers at the check-in desks were all changed and each computer is connected to a brand new boarding pass printer and a new baggage tag printer.

“Each airline has a ticket barcode scanner to call up the ticket immediately and without any keyboard input to accelerate the check-in process, for passengers travelling without bags, we have purchased and installed 4 self-check-in kiosks, they are a huge success with already over 8,500 passengers checked in since the start of the soft opening.

“We have increased the security features at MMA2 by installing e-gates before the security screening point. As explained, this makes is virtually impossible for an unauthorised person to enter the sterile boarding zone as each gate is now equipped with a boarding pass scanner and a brand new manifest printers”, he added.

Pennick disclosed further that the installation of PAXTRACK, another state-of-the-art equipment, makes it possible to restrict access to certain zones based on the boarding pass; analyses the peaks and makes it easier for officials to plan resources; locates a passenger within the terminal.

“The installing of a full Baggage Reconciliation System (BRS) makes us the only terminal in Nigeria to offer an automated baggage reconciliation system as prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), we’re the only airport terminal in Nigeria that is providing baggage tags and boarding passes.

“We want our customers and our customers’ customers (i.e. passengers) to experience the same level of service and similar technology as airports abroad (talking about Europe, SE Asia and North America). Which means constant power; serviceable equipment like escalators and lifts and continuous upgrade of the same; check-in system; good choice of restaurants, shops and other services like banks, ATMs, pharmacies; automated and large car park, among others.

“For this project to be completed and successful, we sent some of our staff abroad, asked the manufacturer to come and train here in Lagos and didn’t limit the training to BASL staff.

“In total, I can proudly say we’ve trained about 300 airport staff (airlines, ground handling and BASL), but our total contribution towards the development of our local ‘aviators’ is much bigger. About 200 of our security staff (AVSEC) just obtained an ICAO Certificate in Aviation Security,” he added.

Earlier, Osita Chidoka, aviation minister, commended the initiative of the operator, calling for a replica of what had transpired in MMA2 at other Nigerian airports.

He disclosed that lack of modern technology and data had been a problem in the aviation sector, adding that what BASL had deployed is a step in the right direction for the sector’s development.

“Technology is going to make it possible for us to be able to say things with more clarity. Therefore, what we have seen today with the launch of the Common User Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) in MMA2 by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited is a step in the right direction; and it is no surprise that it is coming from the airport Nigerians have voted as the best in the country,” he said.

Wale Babalakin, chairman of BASL, however disclosed that “it had been seven years of difficulties, but MMA2 symbolises how money has followed strategy and not the other way. It is my belief that aviation is international. Anytime you say Nigerian aviation or Nigerian tendencies, we diminish ourselves.”

Sade Williams