Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), has intensified consultations with its airline partners as part of a broader strategy to improve passenger experience, strengthen operational efficiency, and prepare the terminal for projected growth in air traffic.
The consultations, which began last week, saw the BASL management team engage in high-level meetings with the leadership of United Nigeria Airlines, Aero Contractors, and ValueJet Airlines at their respective corporate offices.
The discussions centred on a comprehensive review of operational performance during the December peak travel period, as well as forward-looking assessments of how anticipated increases in passenger traffic would affect terminal capacity, airside operations, and service delivery.
During the engagements, United Nigeria Airlines outlined its plans for fleet expansion in 2026, stressing that sustained growth would require commensurate improvements in terminal infrastructure, operational coordination, and processing capacity.
Aero Contractors and ValueJet Airlines echoed these concerns, drawing attention to the need for robust crowd management strategies and more efficient passenger processing systems to maintain seamless operations as passenger volumes continue to rise.
Responding to the feedback, BASL management, led by the Acting Chief Operating Officer and Head of Aeronautical and Cargo Services, Mr Remi Jibodu, acknowledged that passenger demand patterns at MMA2 have changed significantly over nearly two decades of operations.
He explained that BASL is adopting a phased approach, combining immediate operational interventions with medium-term structural initiatives, to stabilise operations and enhance the overall passenger journey.
As part of its immediate actions, BASL disclosed that it is deploying mobile check-in counters to expand processing capacity during peak periods.
Additional short-term measures include enhanced crowd control mechanisms and the deployment of extra personnel across key service areas such as security screening and baggage handling, aimed at reducing bottlenecks and improving turnaround times.
Looking to the medium term, BASL plans to introduce an International Air Transport Association (IATA)-aligned slot coordination system designed to balance airline schedules with terminal and airside capacity through collaborative planning.
The operator also intends to reintroduce self-check-in kiosks to reduce pressure on conventional check-in counters, alongside apron decongestion measures and stricter aircraft parking discipline. These may include the possible introduction of a progressive fee structure to discourage prolonged aircraft parking on the apron.
In addition, BASL is planning upgrades to its baggage handling systems to deliver smoother and more efficient passenger processing.
Mr Jibodu used the engagements to solicit the cooperation of airline partners on the proposed slot coordination framework, assuring them that the guidelines would be transparent, aligned with airlines’ revenue and growth plans, and focused on delivering an improved passenger experience.
The discussions further underscored the importance of enhanced data transparency and coordinated communication. BASL and the airlines explored the development of a digital platform that would provide accurate, real-time operational information to airlines and other stakeholders, thereby improving situational awareness, coordination, and confidence in terminal operations.
The engagement sessions also addressed the need for closer collaboration with road traffic management agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASMA), to better manage vehicular traffic during periods of high passenger influx at the terminal.
BASL reaffirmed its commitment to sustained engagement with airline partners, regulators, and other stakeholders, noting that continuous dialogue and collaboration remain critical to delivering safe, efficient, and passenger-focused operations at MMA2, while supporting sustainable growth within the terminal’s operating environment.
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