Regional Operation: Bi-Courtney decries delay in commencement of Flights at MMA

The Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Christophe Penninck, has expressed concern over the delay in securing regulatory approval for the commencement of international operations at the terminal.

Penninck, in his address at the annual customers and stakeholders’ appreciation dinner of BASL, said that some stakeholders in the aviation industry have been actively working against MMA2’s bid to secure the needed approval, despite the huge investment the operator of the Nigeria’s number one airport terminal has committed to the project.

“We have invested so much in infrastructure in this but unfortunately, we have been unable to continue with further development.”

Although we collaborate with the authorities, it would be nice for us to be able to develop even more. This venue is supposed to be the international boarding gate for MMA2. If we have the opportunity to operate international flights, it will not only benefit us, it will also benefit the airlines operating here,” he said.

Penninck continued, “I know for a fact that Aero, Dana and Med-View airlines operate international flights to Accra. It will make operational sense to combine that arrangement with their respective domestic operations. The common interest now is for Nigerian travelers to experience better services and a better connection point. Most airlines all over the world have hubs. Unfortunately the hub here is not very practical.”

He stated that the operator of MMA2 was more than prepared to keep improving the facilities to be more than just a terminal, to ensure products and services’ visibility to customers on its website and social media platforms.

Ifeoma Okeke