Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have announced a partnership to revolutionise Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The partnership aims to provide world-class airport services, infrastructure development, and technology innovations that meet global standards.
BASL, which operates the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) in Lagos, will collaborate with FAAN to enhance the passenger experience, increase efficiency and adoption of technology in all Nigerian airports.
Addressing the new Managing Director of FAAN, Kabir Muhammed, and his team, Chairman of BASL, Dr. Wale Babalakin, said the new development was a pleasant surprise and promised to explore the window to foreclose all pre-existing gaps.
He said: “It has been a challenging 16 years of an undefined relationship with FAAN. I am positive that this meeting marks the beginning of a new era between BASL & FAAN.”
Babalakin said it was noteworthy to emphasise BASL’s commitment to sustainable investment and promotion of good governance and global best practices in the aviation sector.
“The industry needs to be re-engineered to bring the services and infrastructure standards to what is comparable elsewhere in the world with a clear focus on automation, passenger facilitation and comfort all over the country. Together with this renewed partnership, I assure you of our unequivocal commitment to the objective of building a virile aviation sector,” Babalakin added.
The meeting was preceded with a courtesy visit by the Senior Management Team of BASL, to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FAAN, and his team.
In an unprecedented gesture, Muhammed, in the company of a select few of his team, reciprocated the visit by making an unscheduled visit to Babalakin, in his office.
The BASL official visit was led by its Acting Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Tosan Duncan Odukoya. Muhammed in his remarks, said, contrary to the pre-existing frosty relationship between his agency and BASL, he would make his administration more open and willing
for strategic partnership and collaboration for the growth of the MMA2 Terminal and the country’s aviation industry in general.
He said, under his command, he would do whatever he could within his means to foster unity between both parties and advance the sector.
“Over the years, ego has allowed the relationship between the FAAN and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) to be strained, but this administration is only interested in positive results,” he said.
According to him, the envisaged developmental proceeds from this newly forged common front will only come to light through a cordial relationship between all players in the industry, adding that there is only one aviation industry that exists in Nigeria, and it is our responsibility as partners to make it work.
Odukoya, in her opening remarks, explained that the purpose of the visit “was to congratulate the new MD on his appointment, and to find ways and means for collaboration between the two organisations through shared learning and best practices.”
She commended the management of FAAN for their open arms and promised commitment by the MMA2 team to cultivate and maintain this new cordial relationship.
The BASL Acting COO said the renewed synergy was historic, strategic, and imperative in enhancing passenger satisfaction and deepening the economic prosperity of the industry and the country.
