TheNewsGuru

Tag: BI-COURTNEY

  • Bi-Courtney denies ticket racketeering allegation at MMA2

    Bi-Courtney denies ticket racketeering allegation at MMA2

    Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II (MMA2), Ikeja, says there is no ticket racketeering at the terminal.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Head of Corporate Communications of the company, on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Yinka-Olawuyi also described as unfounded, an allegation that unpatriotic Nigerian were using private Point of Sale (POS) machines within the terminal to carry out fraudulent payments.

    She said that the company was commitment to maintaining a secure, transparent and efficient airport environment.

    There is an allegation that ticket racketeering is rampant at MMA2, with one-way ticket cost being inflated to   as high as N250,000 by some staff of airlines and others.

    The official said  that internal monitoring systems of the company did not detect  any hoarding of tickets or any collusion between airline staff and touts to inflate ticket prices.

    “At MMA2, all ticket transactions are conducted at the airlines’ sales booths, using their official means of payment.

    “To combat any form of touting or illegal activities, MMA2 collaborates closely with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Aviation Security (AVSEC), and other relevant authorities.

    “Recently, FAAN established a joint task force specifically aimed at addressing  touting activities across all Nigerian airports,” Yinka-Olawuyi noted.

    According to her, anyone found engaging in illegal activities will face the full wrath of the law.

    She said  that the company’s commitment to passenger safety was unwavering, urging that  passengers to feel free to lodge complaints.

  • Bi-Courtney flays vandalism over flight disruptions

    Bi-Courtney flays vandalism over flight disruptions

    Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., operator of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Ikeja, has warned aggrieved passengers never to resort to violence and destruction of airport property following flight disruptions.

    Mrs Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Bi-Courtney’s Head of Corporate Communications, said in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos on Friday that the company would not tolerate destruction of airport property.

    Yinka-Olawuyi said the terminal operator had zero tolerance for passenger misconduct or vandalism of airport property.

    She said that such actions pose a threat to the safety and well-being of other passengers, airport staff and property.

    “MMA2 condemns such behaviour in the strongest terms possible. Vandalising airport property, including cameras and other amenities, is unacceptable.

    “Any individual found engaging in such acts will face strict legal consequences, fully, including prosecution.

    “While we understand that flight disruptions can be frustrating, we urge passengers to make their complaints courteously and seek redress through appropriate channels.

    “Our staff are here to address any concerns or grievances professionally and respectfully,” she said, warning that violence of any form was prohibited within the terminal premises.

    “MMA2 maintains a safe and secure environment for all passengers and staff, and any individual found engaging in violent behaviour will be dealt with swiftly and decisively.

    “MMA2 remains committed to upholding the highest standards of safety, security, and customer service for all passengers and stakeholders.

    “We urge all passengers to adhere to airport regulations and conduct themselves in a manner befitting that of a responsible traveller,” she said.

  • Respite as sacked workers at Lagos airport return to work

    Respite as sacked workers at Lagos airport return to work

    Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), on Thursday said it had reinstated the 37 dismissed workers after resolutions were reached between aviation unions and the company.

    Mr Oluwatosin Onajala, Head, Corporate Communications, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday.

    Recall that on Tuesday, members of all the unions in aviation embarked on an unannounced protest over alleged sacking of the 37 workers of the company.

    The protest impacted heavily on scheduled flights and other operations, with early morning passengers left stranded.

    The unions barricaded the entrance and exit gates of the terminal and prevented customers, concessionaires and other members of staff from gaining entry, an act that industry watchers described as high-handed and unlawful.

    The Air Transportation Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) had accused Bi-Courtney of allegedly sacking their members without regard to due process.

    However, the firm asserted that it adhered strictly to global best practices and the rule of law in its decision.

    Onajala, in the statement, noted that all the sacked workers had been recalled after the resolution was reached by the union and the company on the same day of the strike.

    The official noted that a stakeholders’ meeting was held and was mediated by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and other aviation agencies in the industry.

    “The stakeholders’ meeting agreed that the staff should be recalled on the clear instruction that they should not report to work.

    “The issue of appropriate severance package will be mediated between the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the unions and BASL.

    “The alleged outstanding salary, which is for October 2022, is due at the end of October 2022 and thus not a delayed salary, should be paid and has since been paid by BASL.”

    Onalaja, on behalf of BASL management, lauded the support received from key stakeholders, adding that the patience and understanding from customers and clients were appreciated.

    He noted that the safety and comfort of its customers remained its utmost priority.

  • BREAKING: Travellers grounded as workers shut down Lagos airport

    BREAKING: Travellers grounded as workers shut down Lagos airport

    Aviation workers have shut down the Murtala Muhammed Local Airport in Lagos State, leaving travellers grounded with flights suspended.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathers that the aviation workers shut down the airport on Tuesday morning over the sack of some of their members by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL).

    The aviation workers under the aegis of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), it was learnt took positions at the strategic entrances leading to the terminal building as early as 6:00 am.

    Recall that BASL had sacked 37 workers including the union executives. The union described the sack of its members as witch-hunting and willful intimidation.

    They alleged that rather than implementing the conditions of service as agreed with them in 2021, the BASL management had resorted to sacking of its members.

    All flights into and from the airport have been suspended.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Bi-Courtney rewards driver for returning bag containing money at MMA2

    Bi-Courtney rewards driver for returning bag containing money at MMA2

    Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, (MMA2) has rewarded Mr Emmanuel Eluu, a driver for returning a bag containing bundles of local, foreign currencies, jewelry and other valuables.

     

    The company’s Group Head, Human Resources, Mr Ola Azeez, presented the cash reward and letter of commendation to Eluu at the Lagos Airport office on Wednesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the staff of BASL said the bag belonged to a prominent Nigerian who boarded an Arik Air flight from MMA2 to Port Harcourt on Aug. 30.

    According to BASL, the rightful owner of the said items has since taken possession of the forgotten luggage.

    Azeez said anyone who displays such exemplary conduct such as Eluu’s deserved to be celebrated.

    ”Some others would have picked the bag and walked away, and such would be difficult to trace; if not totally impossible.

    “What could only happen is to indict everybody working on the shift of the time it occurred, but we thank you for your honesty, for picking up the item and handing it over to the appropriate authorities.

    “Your singular action is clearly in sync with the core values of the organisation.”

    In the same vein, the Acting Business head of BASL, Mr Raphael Uchegbu said the good integrity went across board the entire operations of MMA2.

    Uchegbu commend his supervisors and head of the Unit for toeing the path of honour, as it could easily had been dismissed by anyone.

    While recounting his experience, Eluu said he was returning to the office when he discovered the bag and decided to do the right thing by reporting the matter to his immediate Supervisor.

    The driver explained further that his supervisor in turn related it to Aviation Security (AVSEC) Supervisor in charge of the airside operation.

     

  • FAAN owes MMA2 over N200bn- Bi-Courtney

    FAAN owes MMA2 over N200bn- Bi-Courtney

    Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos Terminal Two, has revealed that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria owes the company over N200bn.

    This was said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mikail Mumuni, in response to the Federal Government’s earlier claim that Bi-Courtney was owing the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

    The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had stated that the ministry would begin to strengthen its efforts to recover the over N37bn owed by airlines in the country and cited Bi-Courtney Limited as owing about N13bn.

    Bi-Courtney’s statement read in part, “On the contrary, it is FAAN that owes Bi-Courtney over N200bn by depriving it of its legitimate earnings over the past 14 years.”

    Mumuni explained that FAAN had been competing with BASL in running the domestic terminal through the opening and operating of the General Aviation Terminal which is a flagrant breach of the concession agreement.

    He further said the N14bn debt mentioned by the Minister was not consistent with the demands of FAAN.

    “BASL in line with the dispute resolution process contained in the agreement had an arbitration award in its favour. It also got the judgement of a High Court, six Court of Appeal judgements and a Supreme Court judgement, all in its favour and sustained the monetary award,

    “The N14bn debt mentioned by the Minister is totally inconsistent with the demand by FAAN, the body which has been liaising with BASL. Their last demand was about N1bn, which was promptly responded to by BASL stating categorically that there was no such debt.”

    The spokesperson further said BASL is a law-abiding company which pays up its bills when due.

    “We believe that Minister was not properly briefed by FAAN as we also pay our electricity bills as and when due. We equally provide elaborate security at the Terminal which has continued to attract commendation from stakeholders. ”