By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka has said that most domestic airlines in the country lacked effective passengers service delivery mechanism as most of them treat passengers poorly.

From left: Commissioner, Accident and Investigation Bureau, Dr Felix Abali; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Dr Jumaila Shu’ara and Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka at a news conference in lagos on tuesday

Speaking at the Eight anniversary celebration of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, operators of the    Murtala Muhammed Domestic Terminal 2 ,MMA2 , and the launch of Common User Passenger Processing System   (CUPPS)   and upgrade of facilities at the terminal building of Murtala Muhammed Domestic Terminal 2 (MMA2), Lagos, Chidoka noted that in dealing with issues in the aviation industry, the passengers, processes and technology were key factors to make travel seamless for the passengers.

The Minister who also commissioned the Self check-in Kiosk, Screening point and check in counters at the Terminal pointed out that domestic airlines do not have good passenger services mechanism, citing an incident where Aero Contractors airline had to abandon its passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Lagos Airport instead of activate their hospitality partnership with the hotels in Abuja and Lagos.

According to Chidoka, with the deployment of facilities that aid easy travel experiences by Bi Courtney Aviation Limited, MM2 terminal was maintaining its status as the best airport terminal in the country. “MMA2 has offered a template to the Nigerian government to improve our airport. Apart from passengers rating the MMA2 as one of the best airport terminals in Nigeria, ground handlers, pilots and other operators also said that MMA2 is a befitting airport terminal”   he said.

While expressing his gratitude, Chairman of Bi Courtney Aviation Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin pointed out that the company would continue to improve the terminal with adequate facilities to ensure seamless travel experiences for the passengers. Babalakin affirmed that he feels impressed that the minister acknowledged the fact that Bi Courtney operated terminal was the best airport terminal in the country.

According to him, aviation is global and Nigeria will strive to compete favourably in the international scene adding that the airport terminal was attaining such height and feat because of the strategy the company put in place and facilitated with money to make things work effectively. “We thanked the minister of aviation for his sincerity for acknowledging that MMA2 was the best airport terminal   in Nigeria. Aviation is international, we must seek to comply with international standard and even exceed it” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bi Courney, Mr. Christoipher Pinncik said that the company had taken a big step in bringing comfort and convenience in order for them to have a memorable flying experience. Pinnick noted that using a self service machine would enable the passengers to do their check-in speedily without having to go through long queues. He added that the system would collect the passengers information and store it as such would help the airport operators to use the data when needed.

“We have invested heavily in equipment like the elevator, the track system, we have an automated car park which can handle about 800 cars per day, We have changed all the 45 check-in counters, We have put in place Baggage Reconciliatory System (BRS) as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).  By August we are going to have 21 Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) compared to what we have now which is 6, we have created our own Ambulance and clinic” he added.