Bi-courtney Aviation Services Ltd (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), yesterday inaugurated the Common User Passenger Processing System (CUPPS), the first self-check-in facility in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka, who inaugurated the facility and other technology-driven projects, said MMA2 had set the pace for others to follow in terminal operations in the country.
The event marked the eighth anniversary of MMA2.
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.
He lamented that domestic airlines lacked good passenger services, noting that in April alone, activities in the aviation industry dropped to 17 per cent.
He added that one of the problems could be as a result of fuel scarcity that has bedevilled the industry.
According to him, with the deployment of facilities that aid easy travel experiences by Bi Courtney Aviation Limited, the company 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, adding that apart from passengers rating the MMA2 as one of the best airport terminal in Nigeria, ground handlers, pilots and other operators also said that MMA2 was a befitting airport terminal,” said Chidoka.
Expressing his gratitude, Chairman of BASL Dr. Wale Babalakin said the company would continue to improve the terminal with adequate facilities to ensure seamless travel experiences of the passengers.
Babalakin said he was impressed that the minister acknowledged the fact that MMA2 “is the best airport terminal in the country”.
He said: “Aviation is global and Nigeria will strive to compete favourably in the international scene.
“We thank the minister of aviation for his sincerity for acknowledging that MMA2 is the best airport terminal in Nigeria. Aviation is international, we must seek to comply with international standard and even exceed it.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BASL Mr. Christophe Pennick said the company had taken a big step to improve flying experience.
He added that using a self-service machine would enable the passengers to do their check-in speedily without having to go through long queues.
His words: “We have invested heavily in equipment like the elevator, the paxtrack system and we have an automated car park which can handle about 800 cars per day. We have increased check-in counters from 21 to 45, and 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 are going to create our own Ambulance and clinic.”
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