Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited Clarifies Tariff Review at MMA2
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the operator of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) in Lagos, has provided a detailed explanation for its recent upward review of car park tariffs. The company asserts that the adjustments are aimed at restoring order, enhancing safety, and improving the overall passenger experience at the terminal.
Reasons Behind the Tariff Adjustment
According to Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Head of Corporate Communications at BASL, the tariff review was necessitated by growing disorder within the terminal's limited parking capacity, which accommodates approximately 800 vehicles. She highlighted that the car park had become chaotic due to sharp practices by some motorists, posing security threats and undermining passenger comfort.
Yinka-Olawuyi explained that the facility was being misused by individuals who parked vehicles for extended periods, sometimes up to three weeks, effectively turning a short-term parking space into a long-term storage area. This misuse denied the company revenue, as the same spaces could have been used to accommodate other cars for shorter durations. Additionally, some e-hailing drivers allegedly occupied parking slots unnecessarily while waiting for passengers, further limiting availability for legitimate airport users.
Details of the New Tariff Structure
The revised pricing, implemented on April 1, 2026, includes significant increases. Sedan cars now pay N3,500 for the first hour, while Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are charged N4,000 for the same duration. Large buses face a substantially higher cost of N20,000 for the first hour. Subsequent hours for sedans and SUVs are billed at N2,500, and overnight parking has surged to N50,000 from the previous N6,000. A penalty of N25,000 is now imposed on vehicle owners for lost or damaged parking tickets.
This marks a significant departure from previous rates. Before the review, sedans were charged N1,300, later adjusted to N2,500 for the first hour, with subsequent hours costing N500. SUVs initially cost N1,800, later increased to N3,500 for the first hour, with the same N500 hourly extension.
Company's Objectives and Outcomes
Yinka-Olawuyi emphasized that the upward review was not for profit-making, as claimed in some quarters, but designed to discourage prolonged parking and ensure a steady turnover of vehicles. She stated, "The car park was becoming chaotic, but we needed to change the unpleasant situation. It is simply for security and sanity reasons. If the car park is not very free, it's not good for the safety and comfort of the travelling public."
She further noted that airport car parks worldwide often adopt similar pricing strategies to prevent abuse and prioritize short-term use. The company reports that the purpose of the increased tariffs has been met, with congestion easing drastically and sanity restored at the terminal's car park.
This development follows the 19th AELEX yearly lecture in Lagos, attended by notable figures including Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), chairman of Bi-Courtney Group, highlighting the broader context of corporate and legal discussions in Nigeria's aviation sector.
