February 26, (THEWILL) – The Chief Operating Officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Remi Jibodu, has called on the federal government to grant the company the first right of refusal in the management of any airport in Nigeria, citing its track record in running the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 in Lagos for the past 18 years.
Speaking when members of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents visited the company’s office in Lagos on Tuesday, Jibodu stated that BASL has demonstrated the capacity to effectively manage airports, not just in Nigeria but across the West African subregion.
“We have done this successfully for nearly two decades, and we believe we should have the first right of refusal for any airport concession in Nigeria. Our experience and achievements make us a beacon of excellence in airport management,” he said.
Jibodu also lauded the Federal Government’s implementation of the Cape Town Convention, stressing that the framework would boost capacity in the aviation sector. According to him, the convention will make it easier for airlines to secure dry lease agreements, reduce costs, and provide more flexibility in crew utilization.
“When airlines can secure dry leases, it allows them to retain their local crew, thereby improving pilot development, increasing revenue, and creating more job opportunities in the sector,” he noted.
On the challenges facing the industry, Jibodu pointed to the high cost of borrowing as a major setback for operators.
“In Nigeria today, unless you have private funding, securing loans from financial institutions is tough. Interest rates are over 30 percent, while inflation hovers around 24.7 percent. This makes it difficult for airlines to break even, especially when they have to deal with expensive lease agreements,” he stated.
He also emphasised the need to properly assess the viability of airport projects before execution, noting that while some routes such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are well-utilized, others remain underdeveloped.
“To ensure balanced growth, the government must create trade hubs around airports. If economic activities thrive in these areas, airline operators will be more willing to invest in new routes,” he said.
Highlighting the commercial expansion at MMA2, Jibodu revealed that the terminal currently hosts over 100 tenants, with more businesses, including a new bank, set to open soon.
“The foot traffic at MMA2 is between 10,000 and 15,000 daily. We are not just an airport; we are a business hub, and we continue to expand to meet the demands of travelers and businesses,” he added.
On cargo operations, he disclosed that BASL has been working on improving the cold chain logistics system to enhance the movement of perishable goods.
“We started our cold storage facility last year to strengthen the cargo chain. We are also in discussions with potential investors to develop a dedicated freighter system to improve cargo distribution nationwide,” he said.
Assessing passenger traffic at the terminal, Jibodu admitted that fluctuations in economic conditions have affected the industry but expressed optimism about recovery.
“Passenger traffic took a hit last year, especially after Dana Air’s exit. We also had fuel price hikes around July and August, which affected operations. However, things started picking up again by October, and we expect better performance this year,” he explained.
In his remarks, Chairman of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, Idris Suleiman, commended BASL for maintaining seamless airport operations and urged the management to sustain its commitment to passenger comfort.
“Passenger satisfaction is key in aviation, and we encourage BASL to continue enhancing its facilities and processes,” Suleiman said, pledging LAAC’s support for the terminal’s growth.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
