Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited has expressed concern over the delay in securing approval for its commencement of international operations at Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 2.
Christopher Penninck, the Chief Executive Officer of BASL, expressed the concern at its Annual Customers and Stakeholders’ Meeting in Lagos on Wednesday.
Penninck said it was saddening that some stakeholders in the aviation industry had been actively working against MMA Terminal 2’s bid to secure the needed approval.
He said this was despite the huge investment the operator of the Nigeria’s number one airport terminal had committed to the project.
He said: “It pains me to say thank you to such stakeholders for having us blocked from populating the international flights schedule.
“We have invested so much in infrastructure and other developments.
“Unfortunately, right now, 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 MMA terminal 2.
“If we have the opportunity to operate international flights, it will not only benefit us, it will also benefit the airlines operating here.
“I know 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.”
According to Penninck, there is a competitive advantage in operating from the same terminal where there are local flight operations.
He said: “Hopefully, in the nearest future, we will be able to do that.
“I think if Nigeria really wants to develop, they have to think about the common interest.
“The common interest now is for Nigerian travellers to experience better services and a better connection point.”
According to Penninck, most airlines all over the world have hubs, adding: “Unfortunately the hub here is not very practical.”
He said BASL was more than prepared to keep improving the facilities to be more than just a terminal.
He said: “We have been collaborating with the customers and helping them promote their services on the website and social media platforms, but I think the overall goal is to deliver customer-oriented services.”
Penninck also decried the adverse impact of prevailing exchange rate on the company’s constant desire to carry out innovation of its operations and grow infrastructure in the terminal.
According to him, the present economic situation has almost doubled the earlier investment projection on improving the cooling system and providing better CCTV coverage of the whole terminal.
NAN.
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