Why MMA2 is best terminal, by CEO

OPERATORS of the second terminal of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA2) have offered to show others how to fly high in the industry by sharing with them their expertise. 

   The offer comes two months after MMA2 was voted as the best terminal in Nigeria.

   Speaking at a dinner to appreciate its customers and stakeholders, in Lagos, at the weekend, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Mr Christophe Penninck, said MMA2 would soon commission facilities that will enable self-check-in by passengers. Bi-Courtney is to organise an event around the development to encourage other airports to install a similar system in their terminals”. 

  Penninck also disclosed that MMA2, which is Nigeria’s first and only privately-run terminal, “is in the process of completing the implementation of the latest version of the Common User Passenger Processing System (CUPPS)”.

   He said the IATA-compliant system, “makes it easier and more efficient to process passengers and increases the dwelling time in the terminal”. 

   The CEO disclosed that BASL has also installed new automatic gates, which, when operational, will ensure that only passengers with valid boarding pass can enter the secure zones.

   On what it takes to be a leader in the Aviation Industry, Penninck told the audience at The Wheatbaker, in Ikoyi, Lagos, that in the last few months, the company had made massive investment in the development of infrastructure in the terminal, including software and hardware upgrades of its passenger processing equipment and the installation of 14 additional check-in counters.

    He noted that the company would always look for opportunities to invest in new equipment, adding: “As promised last year, we increased the capacity of the check-in area. We installed a full Baggage Reconciliation System (BRS), which will soon go live together with the CUPPS and e-gates. This will make it possible to finally stop using manual bingo sheet and avoid baggage fraud. We installed two new escalators and a panoramic lift. We also replaced a lot of air conditioners throughout the terminal and hired a dedicated AC team to make sure the maintenance is constant.

    “We also ordered five additional elevators and an escalator, all of which have already been delivered. The installation is on-going and when this is completed, the car park will finally have two functioning lifts. We also plan to acquire two additional power generators.

“To bring the terminal up to par with international airport terminals, we embarked on an extensive training of our staff. All security personnel of Bi-Courtney have received two-week ICAO-certified AVSEC training with the support of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). 

    “The other support and commercial staff have also undergone IATA’s Airport Customer Service training. This was also one of the things we promised to do last year. The IATA training is important for us to understand the demands of the airlines and to be in sync with the industry we’re operating in.”

      He listed the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak and the strike by Customs agents among the external factors that impacted on the company’s activities, one way or the other, in 2014. He, however, noted that the World Health Organisation commended MMA2 for its cooperation in ensuring the thorough screening of passengers and visitors from the entrance to the terminal to the final exit during the EVD outbreak.

Another highlight of the night was the presentation of special recognition awards to the airlines currently operating in the terminal, including, Med-View, Aero Contractors, Azman, First Nation, Dana, Discovery and IRS, for a partnership that made MMA2 the market leader, and also Chanchangi Airline, for operating the inaugural flight from the terminal when it was opened on May 7, 2007.

      The event was attended by Chief Executives and representatives of the airlines and other companies operating in the terminal, including vendors, concessionaires and other tenants, and management staff of BASL.

     MMA2 was voted the best airport terminal in the country in a December 2014 poll commissioned by the Ministry of Aviation.