MMA2: FAAN, airlines disagree over relocation order

 
MMA2 Terminal building
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and domestic airlines have again clashed over a fresh order by FAAN that some of the carriers should relocate their operations from the General Aviation Terminal (old domestic terminal) to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Terminal Two, Lagos.

The Chairman, Airlines Operators of Nigeria, the umbrella body of the domestic carriers, Dr. Steve Mahonwu, told journalists on Monday, that the relocation order, which evicted all airlines currently operating at GAT, except Arik Air, would create unnecessary monopoly for Arik.

Mahonwu, who said that the order was a violation of the contractual agreement between FAAN and AON members, warned that the body would not hesitate to ground domestic flights if FAAN forced the affected carriers out of the GAT.

By the directive, Arik is to continue its operations at the GAT, while the other carriers operating at the terminal will relocate to MMA2, a terminal that is being currently managed by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited under a build, operate and transfer arrangement.

Aerocontractors Airlines, Chanchangi Airlines and IRS Airlines had last week received eviction notices from FAAN.

A letter written by FAAN to the three airlines, on February 7, 2011, and signed by FAAN’s Regional Manager, South West, Mr. O.E. Aiyenuro, read in part, “The management of FAAN has directed me to inform you to move your passenger check-in activities from the General Aviation Terminal to Bi-Courtney Services Terminal, MMA2, effective from Tuesday, February 8, 2011.”

But AON, in a statement issued on Monday, said, “The Airlines Operators of Nigeria totally rejects the illegal relocation of our members, which immediately tends to create monopoly for one of our members, Arik Air, against three others or more. We believe in equity and justice and are committed to protecting all our members from the cudgels of any aviation parastatal to enhance harmony and judicious acts of governance.

“We have received complaints from some members of our organisation that they have been given notices of eviction from the General Aviation Terminal by the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.”

AON added, “FAAN has directed them to relocate their check-in counters and sales outlets to MMA2, which for now belongs to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services until the expiry date of their contracted Build, Operate and Transfer arrangement.

“FAAN has no right, therefore, to relocate our members to any terminal, which presently does not belong to them. The action of FAAN is a violation of the contractual agreement between FAAN and our members, which is tantamount to victimisation and unnecessary use of force.”

Arik had last year said that it would renovate the GAT and brand it as its own exclusive terminal if government allowed it.

The airline’s move was, however, criticised by stakeholders, who said that all domestic airlines, including Arik, were meant to operate from MMA2 in line with the BOT concession agreement between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney.

Arik had, after the completion of MMA2 in 2007, said that it would never relocate its operations to the terminal. Although other carriers like Aero, IRS and Chanchangi relocated to MMA2 in 2007, they still maintained check-in counter sales outlets at GAT due to competition.

Mahonwu said that AON would only comply if FAAN wanted to renovate GAT for the purpose of fulfilling the BOT agreement between it and Bi-Courtney.

Bi-Courtney had since 2007 been fruitlessly battling FAAN to get airlines to relocate from GAT to MMA2 in line with its concession agreement.
Source:Punch