Our plans for end of year passenger traffic, by BASL

 Our plans for end of year passenger traffic, by BASL

Bi- Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), has laid out its plans for the expected surge in end of year passenger footfalls saying it has commenced scaling up of facilities , especially expansion of its apron to accommodate more aircraft for flight operations.

Besides apron expansion, the managers of the first private airport terminal in Nigeria : Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), said it has recalibrated its terminal operational security architecture to ensure smooth and seamless passenger experience at the terminal.

Disclosing this yesterday , when its management team, led by the Head of Aeronautical Cargo Division/ Acting Chief Operating Officer, Mr Remi Jibodu visited the corporate headquarters of  The Nation in Lagos, the terminal manager said it is consolidating plans to ensure the facility remains a reference point in aviation infrastructure management globally.

Jibodu said the company is digitalizing  its operations by embarking on aggressive facility overhaul with its baggage carousels and other facilitation equipment performing optimally.

He spoke of plans to continue the engagement with airlines, which are expecting more aircraft towards the end of the year to boost their flight operations.

Jibodu said as more space is created in the apron, airlines and their aircraft will have a more conducive ambience to carry out their flight and other related activities.

He said BASL's trajectory in the management of air transport infrastructure , being the first company to build and manage an airport terminal in Nigeria remains a model that should be adopted by other investors.

Jibodu spared a thought for State Government's foray into construction of airports in their domain, which he said has thrown up questions about the viability of such facilities.

Besides commercial flight activities in such airports, Jibodu said such aerodromes could be utilised for simulation/ training flights.

To reverse the trend, he said investors into such projects could approach the BASL team for engagement on how to derive greater value for such facilities.

Since 2007 when the MMA2 opened for flight operations, Jibodu said the terminal has offered passengers a good travel experience, by ensuring that it runs optimally with well maintained facilities, adequately trained personnel and cutting edge technological equipment to redefine how to drive modern aviation development.

On Public Private Partnership, Jibodu described BASL as a leader in that realm of infrastructure management , given its pedigree in running a facility that has become a reference point for other players, including the Federal and State Government in the establishment and running of aerodromes.

He said the company has also commenced the repairs and overhaul of operational equipment at the MMA2, to prepare for the end of the year spike in commercial flight activities.

On expansion of its operations, Jibodu said BASL recently opened its Cold  Cargo Storage facility to add value to its business .

The motive behind this, Jibodu said, is to deepen its involvement in the logistic chain as more players require storage facilities for temperature control goods that need to be moved from one location to another.

This expansion, he said has forced BASL to digitalise its operations to achieve precision in temperature measurement for some categories of goods requiring either storage in freezers or chillers.

Jibodu said : " Our journey in the public private partnership space for aviation has been quite impressive. As the year draws into the last quarter , we are scaling up in equipment repairs for passenger facilitation. Also, we are working on the apron expansion to boost capacity. We are also removing obsolete equipment at the apron. We are also upgrading our lounges to step up passengers comfort beyound the global standard."

" We are also  digitilisation of our safety management system to reduce human errors. We are doing a lot to ensure that the terminal is running very well."

He further said : " We are retooling as a futuristic strategy to optimise opportunities opening up in the cargo and agro - allied value chain by installing the needed facilities."

Jibodu said though there are challenges of space management, BASL continues to enhance its facilities for optimum utilization, including the digitalisation  of its car park that accommodates over 2,000 cars daily.

On security, the BASL COO said a lot is being done through the scaling up of facilities through close  circuit television monitors that dot the terminal and other places in ensuring sufficient surveillance.

Also speaking, Head of Aviation Security, Monica Oguta said enhanced security through adequate deployment of equipment and training of its personnel has reduced incidents of theft both within the terminal and on board aircraft.

She said many attempts by some unscrupulous passengers to rob other travellers of their possessions have been exposed through frequent reviews of CCTV footage. 

Oguta said BASL has reviewed its security architecture by rolling out several measures to reduce crowding around the drop - off zones.

She said optimum use of the multi - layer car park, besides enhancing revenue for the company has assisted in checkmating vulnerabilities around the terminal.

She also listed testimonies by passengers, whose baggage and other stolen items have been recovered through CCTV tracking.

She said : " A lot of people think the cameras at the terminal are not working, but we have recovered many items and returned them to the owners. Some of the culprits have been handed over to the Police for prosecution. Some people buy tickets with the intent to steal, but we have nibbed such ugly developments in the bud.We have seen many strange things, but with extensive CCTV coverage, we have exposed all these. "

Also speaking, Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs Ajoke Yinka- Olawuyi said the company is open for engagement with stakeholders, including the media to drive its brand values.

She said as the most successful private sector player in air transport infrastructure management, BASL is ready to share its model with others to adopt for sustainable development of the aviation eco - space.

She said the team was at The Nation for a thank you visit for the support so far received.

 

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