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Tag: MMA2

  • 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.

  • 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. ”

  • MMA2 continues operations as FAAN shelves threat to withdraw services

    MMA2 continues operations as FAAN shelves threat to withdraw services

    The Management of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Lagos on Monday continued flight operations following the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) agreement to shelve plans of withdrawing its services to the terminal over alleged indebtedness.

    FAAN had in a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) stated that it would be withdrawing Aviation Security, fire fighting and rescue operations to MMA2 effective from midnight Dec. 9.

    However, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, confirmed to NAN that negotiations had resumed between the agency and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the MMA2.

    A NAN aviation correspondent who monitored the situation observed that only Arik Air had moved its Port Harcourt flights temporarily back to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the airport operated by FAAN due to the threat.

    Other airlines operating at the MMA2 which are Medview, Max Air, Dana Air, Aero Contractors and Azman Air flew their passengers without any hindrances.

    Aero Contractors Lagos- Abuja- Kano and Lagos-Abuja flights departed from the MMA2 at 6.43 a.m. and 6.53 a.m. respectively.

    Similarly, Azman Air Lagos-Abuja flight departed at 6.47 a.m., Dana Air Lagos-Port Harcourt flight departed at 6.48 a.m., Dana Air Lagos-Abuja flight departed at 6.57 a.m. while Max Air Lagos-Abuja-Yola flight departed at 7.05 a.m.

    NAN reports that FAAN had claimed that the MMA2 was indebted to the agency to the tune of N3.9 billion since it began operations on Sept. 8,2007.

    FAAN claimed the money was for the provision of electricity, rent and conference and hotel and the five per cent remittance as agreed in the contract.

    In a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BASL, in November, FAAN gave the breakdown of the indebtedness as at July 31 as N1.4 billion for provision of Aviation Security (AVSEC), another N143 million for Fire/Safety Cost, N2.1million for marshalling and N1.9billion for management cost.

    Similarly, FAAN had also issued similar threats to Gombe, Kebbi , and Bebi airports.

    “This action has become imperative as the management of Gombe airport is indebted to the authority to the tune of N607. 9 million, while Kebbi and Bebi airports are indebted to the tune of N124.5 million and N76. 8 million respectively without any concerted effort to pay up the debt.

    The authority has issued a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) to this effect so as to give operators into the airports the opportunity to review there logistics plan,”Yakubu said in a statement issued on Sunday.

     

  • Flights, business activities resume at MMA2

    Flight operations and business activities on Friday resumed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Lagos following the suspension of the industrial action against the terminal owners by aviation unions.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unions had on Thursday night called off their two-day industrial action against Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) following the signing of an agreement by the union leaders and BASL.
    The agreement was brokered by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airport security agencies who intervened in the dispute between the two parties.
    A copy of the agreement which was signed by Mr Ola Azeez, Group Head, Human Resources and Mr Rodger Whittle, Group Executive Director, on behalf of BASL, showed that the company acceded to the demands of the unions.
    “Staff of BASL are free (as they have always been) to exercise their right at association by indicating their willingness to join any of the aviation unions.
    “The management shall deduct and remit check-off dues as required by law.
    “The 27 members of the union who were laid off shall be recalled without loss of pay or service and deployed to where their services are required within the Resort Group.
    “Thereafter the company intends to declare them redundant and is willing to discuss their redundancy benefits with the unions in accordance with Section 20 of the Labour Act.
    “We hope that the union shall appreciate the olive leaf being offered by BASL and accept same with a view to ending this imbroglio,” BASL said in the document obtained by NAN.
    NAN observed that staffers of airlines, banks, food court as well as travelers were seen carrying out their businesses without any harassment from union members.
    Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, Media and Communications Manager, Dana Air, also confirmed the airline’s resumption of flights at the MMA2, which is Nigeria’s only privately owned terminal.
    Ezenwa said: “We have resumed flights from MMA2 following the agreement reached by MMA2 and the aviation unions.
    ”We thank the management of BASL, operators of MMA2 for considering the economic implications and for putting national interest first in resolving the industrial action.
    ”We also wish to thank our teeming guests for their total understanding and cooperation in the course of our temporary relocation to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) and we hope to continue offering the best of our services which we have come to be known for.”
    NAN reports the unions had since the early hours of Wednesday embarked on the protest over the alleged sack of 27 employees who indicated interest to unionise by BASL.
    The unions were: The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
    Despite a subsisting court order issued by Justice I. N Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos restraining them from the action, the unions had shutdown flights and business activities at the MMA2.
    Airlines affected by the action included Arik Air, Medview Airline, Azman Air, Max Air, Dana Air and Aero Contractors who operate flights from the terminal.
    The airlines were forced to temporarily move their passenger boarding and processing to the GAT, operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during the 2-day protest by union.

  • Aviation unions end strike at MMA2

    Unions in the aviation sector on Thursday night called off their two-day industrial action against Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) at Murtala Muhammed Airport2 in Lagos.
    This followed the signing of an agreement by the union leaders and BASL management.
    The agreement was brokered by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airport security agencies who intervened in the dispute between the parties.
    Mr Sam Jaja, Deputy President, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) confirmed the suspension of the picketing while addressing the union members after the meeting.
    Jaja said BASL had agreed to reinstate the sacked workers and also give recognition to unions in the sector, as well as right of workers to belong to unions of their choice.
    According to him, it was also agreed that an inter-ministerial committee should be set up to look into unionism among private organisations in the aviation sector.
    The unions had since the early hours of Wednesday embarked on the protest, over the alleged sack of 24 employees who indicated interest to unionise by BASL, operators of the MMA2 in Lagos.
    The unions involved were ATSSSAN, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
    Despite a subsisting court order issued by Justice I. N Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos restraining them from the action, the unions had shut down flights and business activities at the MMA2.
    Airlines operating from the terminal affected by the action include Arik Air, Medview Airline, Azman Air, Max Air, Dana Air and Aero Contractors.
    The airlines were forced to temporarily move their passenger boarding and processing to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as the action lingered