The Management of Bi-courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL has clarified the recent review of the parking tariff at the Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP), of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA2.
The management of BASL said the review was implemented strictly as an operational measure to address severe congestion, discourage long-term vehicle abandonment, and restore parking availability for legitimate airport users.
The airport manager in a statement signed by
the management of BASL, the company
explained that from inception, MMA2 has maintained one of the most consistent safety and security records for any airport terminal in the country, a record that has not been surpassed.
BASL explained further that this has been achieved through continuous monitoring, structured access control, and proactive operational management of all terminal facilities, including the Multi-Storey Car Park.
However, the airport manager noted that increasing number of vehicles parked for extended periods places additional operational and security demands on the facility.
The company stated further that the cost and complexity of maintaining this level of surveillance, safety oversight, and operational control for vehicles left for lengthy periods cannot be sustained, particularly when such vehicles are not associated with legitimate airport use.
“The decision followed sustained operational challenges arising from the prolonged parking of vehicles at the MSCP.
Over time, the facility has increasingly been used as a general parking space for the surrounding area, with several non-airport users leaving vehicles for extended periods while owners travel or for unrelated purposes. In some instances, vehicles have been left unattended for days, weeks, months, and in extreme cases, years.
This practice significantly reduces parking availability for passengers and other legitimate terminal users. As a result, airport users are often forced to spend considerable time searching for parking spaces, sometimes exceeding 30 minutes. This has led to avoidable delays and, in certain instances, passengers missing their flights” BASL said.
The management of BASL maintained that the situation also contributes to traffic build-up around the terminal frontage, including the drop-off and pick-up zones, thereby affecting traffic flow and overall passenger experience.
The company pointed out that the MMA2 Multi-Storey Car Park was designed primarily to support short-term parking for passenger drop-off and pick-up, as well as for users conducting business within the terminal, adding that it was not intended to function as a long-term storage facility, garage, or general-purpose parking space for the surrounding environment.
BASL warned that the continued misuse of the facility undermines operational efficiency and denies genuine airport users access to parking, in addition to operational concerns, long-term and abandoned vehicles present safety and security challenges.
MMA2 explained that vehicles left unattended for extended periods complicate monitoring, increase risk exposure, and reduce the effectiveness of security management within the facility.
To create space for active users, the company stated that several abandoned vehicles have had to be identified and relocated to another secure holding area, further highlighting the need for improved parking control measures.
The revised tariff is therefore aimed at discouraging long-term parking, improving space turnover, and ensuring that parking spaces remain available for passengers and other legitimate terminal users, BASL said.
The company noted that the review is not revenue-driven but an operational necessity designed to restore order, reduce congestion, and maintain a safe, secure, and efficient terminal environment.
The airport manager of MMA2 while emphasising its commitment to delivering seamless passenger experience and maintaining a safe, orderly, and accessible terminal for all users, appreciates the understanding and cooperation of passengers, visitors, and stakeholders, stressing that these measures are implemented in the interest of improving overall terminal operations.
