BASL: Why we adjusted parking tariff

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), disclosed that the decision to adjust the parking tariffs comes after a comprehensive review of its operational costs and a commitment to maintaining the world-class standards that MMA2 is known for.

The firm further stated that the decision was implemented strictly as an operational measure to address severe congestion, discourage long-term vehicle abandonment, and restore parking availability for legitimate airport users. 

The revised tariff, it said is therefore aimed at discouraging long-term parking, improving space turnover, and ensuring that parking spaces remain available for passengers and other legitimate terminal users. The review is not revenue-driven but an operational necessity designed to restore order, reduce congestion, and maintain a safe, secure, and efficient terminal environment.

The Management of the company in a statement on Monday noted that from inception, MMA2 has maintained one of the most consistent safety and security records for any airport terminal in the country, a record it said that has not been surpassed, noting that this has been achieved through continuous monitoring, structured access control, and proactive operational management of all terminal facilities, including the Multi-Storey Car Park.

“However, the increasing number of vehicles parked for extended periods places additional operational and security demands on the facility. The cost and complexity of maintaining this level of surveillance, safety oversight, and operational control for vehicles left for lengthy periods cannot be sustained, particularly when such vehicles are not associated with legitimate airport use.”

“The decision followed sustained operational challenges arising from the prolonged parking of vehicles at the MSCP. Over time, the facility has increasingly been used as a general parking space for the surrounding area, with several non-airport users leaving vehicles for extended periods while owners travel or for unrelated purposes. In some instances, vehicles have been left unattended for days, weeks, months, and in extreme cases, years.”

This practice it reiterated significantly reduces parking availability for passengers and other legitimate terminal users.

“As a result, airport users are often forced to spend considerable time searching for parking spaces, sometimes exceeding 30 minutes. This has led to avoidable delays and, in certain instances, passengers missing their flights. The situation also contributes to traffic build-up around the terminal frontage, including the drop-off and pick-up zones, thereby affecting traffic flow and overall passenger experience”.

The MMA2 Multi-Storey Car Park  according to it was designed primarily to support short-term parking for passenger drop-off and pick-up, as well as for users conducting business within the terminal.

“It was not intended to function as a long-term storage facility, garage, or general-purpose parking space for the surrounding environment. The continued misuse of the facility undermines operational efficiency and denies genuine airport users access to parking.”

Wole Shadare