The Chairman of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services (BASL), Dr Wale Babalakin has stated that Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, MMA2, signed agreement with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to operate regional flights from the terminal.
Speaking at Breakfast Meeting I Lagos titled, “Ownership, Viability, Safety and security of Nigerian Airports”, organised by the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative(ASRTI), Dr Babalakin said MMA 2 will soon commence regional flight operations from the terminal.with Dana Air as the first airline.
The explanation became necessary following on ongoing agitations by the aviation workers unions that the terminal will soon commence flight operations from the terminal.
Babalakin explained that the terminal was not given approval contrary to insinuation by the aviation union that no agreement was signed to that effect.
He stated that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was invited to inspect the terminal and that the regulatory body gave some conditions that should be met by the terminal before it could commence regional flights from the facility.
Babalakin added that the conditions set by NCAA had been fulfilled by the terminal.
According to him, “Approval was not given, we signed an agreement to operate regional flights. NCAA was invited to inspect the facility and gave conditions that must be met and these conditions have been fulfilled and we are waiting for the implementation.”
Commenting on the four star hotel directly opposite the multi story MMA2 Car Park also belonging to BASL that was allegedly taken from BASL, The Chairman of Bi-Courtney explained that some people had wanted to convert the project to FAAN offices but that the idea did not .
He added that while this was going on its technical partner withdrew because BASL could not explain why the hotel project was taken away from BASL.
He stated further that BASL has signed a fresh agreement with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on the hotel project, adding that BASL was only able to achieve this due its relentless efforts.
In the area of airport development, he said that it could only take place only under a well articulated concessioning system.
Babalakin said though Nigeria is not a wealthy country but that it has the potential to be wealthy.
He ephasised the need for the country’s aviation industry to move forward and experience rapid development under a well articulated concessioning system devoid of disagreements.
Acccording to him, Airport Development could only manifest in the Nigerian aviation sector only if Nigerians themselves harness the potential that the country has.
He added that for the aviation to be developed, the rule of law must be followed, adding that more often than not concession agreements are violated.
Babalakin stated that all the agreements on Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) were violated by the government.
He maintained that such would not interest investors.
