By Sade Williams
The age long rift between the operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal two (MMA2), Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) and the management of Arik Air, may have come to an end as the airline on Saturday, launched its Lagos-Port Harcourt flight services from the MMA2 terminal amidst commendations from stakeholders.
It would be recalled that for over ten years, BASL and Arik Air had traded words over relocation of operations to the terminal but events took a new turn since the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over the operations of the airline, as both parties decided to shelve their feuds.
Meanwhile, at a brief ceremony to mark the operations, representative of BASL, who is also the public relations manager at MMA2, Mr. Steve Omolale, said the commencement of Arik Air operations from the terminal is one of the greatest achievements of BASL this year.
While assuring travellers and the airline of safety in all operations, Omolale said the terminal has all the facilities to accommodate all domestic airlines, adding that already, six are operating from the terminal.
“This is a facility that will make your passengers feel safe and secure, this is a terminal where you have modern facilities, we spend millions of naira in maintaining the terminal every month and we say we have the facilities to accommodate more airlines.
“We assure you of the best services you can ever think of and of the sustenance of the high standards in this facility”, he said.
Also speaking Vice President, Arik Air ground operations, Mr. Murat Ozcan, commended the efforts of BASL at putting such edifice in pace, adding that the airline is happy to commence part of its operations from the terminal.
Chief Pilot of Arik Air, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmoud, who also commended the ambiance and facilities at MMA2, said the terminal has facilities that is up to international standards, adding that as a pilot that has travelled widely, MMA2 is superb.
Mahmoud, who said the relocation of Arik Air’s Port Harcourt operation to MMA2 is a relief, said: MMA2 is a standard terminal, I can say this because I have been to most part of the world’.
The airline climaxed the activities by giving out 15 economy class tickets and five Business class tickets to twenty passengers on the three flights for the day.
According to the airline, its flights daily departs the terminal at 7 a.m; 11 a.m and 3 p.m.
