Chief Executive Officer, BASL, Christophe Penninck |
The
Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL),
operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Mr. Christophe
Penninck, has
expressed concern over the delay in securing regulatory approval for
the commencement of international operations at the terminal.
Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL),
operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Mr. Christophe
Penninck, has
expressed concern over the delay in securing regulatory approval for
the commencement of international operations at the terminal.
Penninck,
in his address at the annual customers and stakeholders’ appreciation dinner of BASL, last Friday, said it was saddening that some
stakeholders
in the aviation industry have been actively working against MMA2’s bid
to secure the needed approval, despite the huge investment the operator
of the Nigeria’s number one airport terminal has committed to the
project.
in his address at the annual customers and stakeholders’ appreciation dinner of BASL, last Friday, said it was saddening that some
stakeholders
in the aviation industry have been actively working against MMA2’s bid
to secure the needed approval, despite the huge investment the operator
of the Nigeria’s number one airport terminal has committed to the
project.
Penninck,
who could not hide his feelings, further noted: “It pains me to say
thank you to such stakeholders for having us blocked from populating the
international
flights schedule. We have invested so much in infrastructure and other
developments. Unfortunately, right now, we have been unable to continue
with further development. Although we collaborate with the authorities,
it would be nice for us to be able to develop
even more. This venue is supposed to be the international boarding gate
for MMA2. If we have the opportunity to operate international flights,
it will not only benefit us, it will also benefit the airlines operating
here.
who could not hide his feelings, further noted: “It pains me to say
thank you to such stakeholders for having us blocked from populating the
international
flights schedule. We have invested so much in infrastructure and other
developments. Unfortunately, right now, we have been unable to continue
with further development. Although we collaborate with the authorities,
it would be nice for us to be able to develop
even more. This venue is supposed to be the international boarding gate
for MMA2. If we have the opportunity to operate international flights,
it will not only benefit us, it will also benefit the airlines operating
here.
“I
know for a fact that Aero, Dana and Med-View airlines operate
international flights to Accra. It will make operational sense to
combine that arrangement
with their respective domestic operations. There is a competitive
advantage in operating from the same terminal where they have their
local flights operations. Hopefully, in the nearest future, we will be
able to do that. I think if Nigeria really wants to
develop, they have to think about the common interest. The common
interest now is for Nigerian travellers to experience better services
and a better connection point. Most airlines all over the world have
hubs. Unfortunately the hub here is not very practical.”
know for a fact that Aero, Dana and Med-View airlines operate
international flights to Accra. It will make operational sense to
combine that arrangement
with their respective domestic operations. There is a competitive
advantage in operating from the same terminal where they have their
local flights operations. Hopefully, in the nearest future, we will be
able to do that. I think if Nigeria really wants to
develop, they have to think about the common interest. The common
interest now is for Nigerian travellers to experience better services
and a better connection point. Most airlines all over the world have
hubs. Unfortunately the hub here is not very practical.”
He
stressed that the operator of MMA2 is more than prepared to keep
improving the facilities; to be more than just a terminal; to ensuring
products and services’
visibility to customers on its website and social media platforms. “We
have been collaborating with the customers and helping them promote
their services on the website and social media platforms, but I think
the overall goal is to deliver customer-oriented
services,” he noted.
stressed that the operator of MMA2 is more than prepared to keep
improving the facilities; to be more than just a terminal; to ensuring
products and services’
visibility to customers on its website and social media platforms. “We
have been collaborating with the customers and helping them promote
their services on the website and social media platforms, but I think
the overall goal is to deliver customer-oriented
services,” he noted.
Penninck
also lamented the adverse impact of the prevailing exchange rate on the
company’s constant desire to innovate its operations and grow
infrastructure
in the terminal. According to him, the present economic situation has
almost doubled the earlier investment projection on improving the
cooling system and providing better CCTV coverage of the whole terminal,
in consonance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation
Authority’s (NCAA) requirement.
also lamented the adverse impact of the prevailing exchange rate on the
company’s constant desire to innovate its operations and grow
infrastructure
in the terminal. According to him, the present economic situation has
almost doubled the earlier investment projection on improving the
cooling system and providing better CCTV coverage of the whole terminal,
in consonance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation
Authority’s (NCAA) requirement.
His
words: “One of the big issues we have at the moment is the cooling of
the terminal. Unfortunately, the current economic situation,
particularly in relation
to the exchange rate, is not helping matters. We have been investing
heavily in the CCTV project and our next big project is the cooling of
the terminal. Sadly we cannot predict the exchange rate and the economic
situation, but we are committed to improving
the cooling system.”
words: “One of the big issues we have at the moment is the cooling of
the terminal. Unfortunately, the current economic situation,
particularly in relation
to the exchange rate, is not helping matters. We have been investing
heavily in the CCTV project and our next big project is the cooling of
the terminal. Sadly we cannot predict the exchange rate and the economic
situation, but we are committed to improving
the cooling system.”
Also
corroborating the earlier submission by the keynote speaker at the
event and Executive Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON),
Captain Nogie Meggison,
to the effect that “aviation is a development route for a nation”,
Penninck maintained that transport in general is very key, because
without it, there cannot be meaningful development.
corroborating the earlier submission by the keynote speaker at the
event and Executive Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON),
Captain Nogie Meggison,
to the effect that “aviation is a development route for a nation”,
Penninck maintained that transport in general is very key, because
without it, there cannot be meaningful development.
“Dubai
and Singapore are two key examples. These small nations have made it –
thanks to transport; thanks to connectivity. If we want the nation to
develop;
if we want to make things change, we must be serious about encouraging
genuine businesses to grow,” he added.
and Singapore are two key examples. These small nations have made it –
thanks to transport; thanks to connectivity. If we want the nation to
develop;
if we want to make things change, we must be serious about encouraging
genuine businesses to grow,” he added.
He
expressed the company’s gratitude to all partners, tenants, airlines
and other stakeholders, and charged them to always come up with valuable
suggestions
and advice on how best to improve on services and make way for better
and rewarding collaborations.
expressed the company’s gratitude to all partners, tenants, airlines
and other stakeholders, and charged them to always come up with valuable
suggestions
and advice on how best to improve on services and make way for better
and rewarding collaborations.
Below are photos from the Appreciation Dinner which was held by Murtala Mohammed Airport 2 (Bicourtney), to honor various categories of customers for their support and loyalty over the years.
L/R Leke Ajose (BASL Staff), Omobugbe Anetekhai, MC of the occassion |
L/R Raxadara, Eniolawole, Motunroluwa. All staff of BASL |
L/R Ekemini, Aisha, Raxadara, Eniolawole, Motunroluwa and Gbemisola. All Staff of BASL |
L/R Dr. Layonu, Vice Chairman Bi-Courtney, Chief T.K. Akinbami, Head, Aeronautics, Ralpheal Uchegbu |
L/R CEO, Ehi Multisystems Cargo, Mr. Lucky, COO, BASL, Miss Adebisi Awoniyi |
L/R COO, BASL, Miss Adebisi Awoniyi, Vice Chairman, Bi-Courtney Chief T.K. Akinbami, Head, HR and Admin BASL, Mrs. IkeOluwapo ErinOluwa, Executive Director, Bi-Courtney, Dr. Layonu. |
L/R Vice Chairman, Bi-Courtney Chief T.K. Akinbami, and Dr. Layonu |
L/R Chairman, Bi-Courtney Chief T.K. Akinbami, Head, HR & Admin , Mrs. IkeOlwapo Erinoluwa, Dr. Layonu. |
L/R Vice Chairman, Bi-Courtney Chief T.K. Akinbami, COO (BASL) Miss Adebisi Awoniyi, Dr. Layonu. |
L/R Aero staff, Chima Okereke, Bello Osagie, Doyin Omoniyi, CEO (BASL) Christophe Penninck and Peter Omata of Aero Airline |
Chima Okereke and other Aviation staff with BASL Executives |
2nd right, Head, Finance, BASL Adeniran Olugbebi, 3rd right Financial Accountant, BASL, Dolapo Adewole with representatives of SIAO and BASL’s Tax Consultant. |
R/L BASL staff, Ajoke Olawuyi and other invited guest at the Appreciation Dinner |
L/R Group Head, Corporate Communication BASL Molara Wood, COO, BASL, Ms Adebisi Awoniyi, Dr. Layonu and Vice Chairman, Bi-Courtney, Chief T.K. Akinbami |
BASL Staff at the 4th Appreciation Dinner with invited guest. |
L/R Chief Security Officer BASL, Mr. Olatunji Olayinka, Assistant Commissioner Of Police, Operations Airport Command, Mr.Chuks Enwowu |
Assistant Commissioner Of Police, Operations Airport Command, Mr.Chuks Enwowu and other invited guest |
Chief Executive Officer, BASL, Christophe Penninck |
R/L Mariam Bankole representing Alhaji Muneer Bankole CEO Medview Airline ans some Medview Airline Staff |
Chief Operating Officer, BASL, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi |