Crucial: MMA2 Ready in 24hrs for ₦712bn MMIA Fix

BY ANTHONY OMOH

Chief Operating Officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Remi Jibodu, says MMA2 already has the infrastructure to accommodate regional flights.

He opines that if sought for, the terminal could commence such operations within 24 hours if required.MMA2 Regional operations plan

He explained that this capacity could help ease congestion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) during its ₦712bn renovation.

Jibodu made the remark on the sidelines of the 29th Annual League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Conference in Lagos.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the multi-billion-naira upgrade, which aims to modernise and expand MMIA’s terminal facilities.

However, large-scale construction at an already busy terminal could lead to bottlenecks, delays, and overcrowding.

According to Jibodu, MMA2’s readiness for regional flights offers an immediate solution. 

“If you want to start, we can start in 24 hours… the facilities are already there. All we need is the go-ahead, and we’ll plan for it,” he said.

One Airport, Multiple Terminals and Spare Capacity

Jibodu emphasised that MMIA’s terminals should function as parts of a single airport system, allowing flexibility in operations.

“If there is a lot of traffic and you cannot cope with it, and there is capacity on the other side, you push to that side,” he explained.

He noted that MMA2 was designed with regional flights in mind. Its infrastructure, from check-in counters to passenger lounges, has long been capable of handling such services.

“We have the capacity to run regional operations today,” he said. Looking for MMA2 operations?

Showcasing PPP Success

For Jibodu, using MMA2’s capacity during the renovation would ease operational pressures on the Federal Government and demonstrate the strength of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Nigerian aviation.

“We must be able to encourage the existing PPPs so that other investors will also be encouraged to come into the industry and invest,” he said.

He warned against sidelining private sector contributions when significant capital inflow is needed to improve aviation infrastructure.

Leveraging MMA2’s facilities for regional flights would show that PPP projects can effectively complement state-owned assets.

Reducing Bureaucracy, Boosting Competitiveness

Beyond the renovation, Jibodu called for reforms to make Nigerian aviation more competitive globally. He urged the removal of bureaucratic hurdles for investors and operators.

“People that want to set up an airline or want to set up an airport should be able to make it easy for them,” he said.

He stressed that competitiveness benefits the entire country. “Aviation is global… government must find a way to see that the airlines in Nigeria are very competitive. It’s about Nigeria and its citizens being able to move around easily.”

Passenger Experience at the Core

According to Jibodu, passenger satisfaction and airline survival are interconnected. “The passenger experience is key and that will not happen if the airlines cannot survive,” he noted.

He urged policymakers to focus on creating conditions for strong, competitive airlines, warning that without them, infrastructure upgrades alone will not deliver the desired results.

 A Ready-Made Solution for Regional Flights

With renovations about to begin, the decision to use MMA2’s facilities for regional flights could determine whether the transition is smooth or plagued by delays.

“The facilities are already there… if that happens, we have the capacity to be able to take that out,” Jibodu said.

As Nigeria prepares for one of its most ambitious airport overhauls, fully leveraging existing assets like MMA2 could mean less disruption and a better experience for travellers.