Airports Survivability Amidst A Challenging Macro-Economic Environment, By Remi Jibodu
The Chief Operating Officer of Bi-courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Mr. Remi Jibodu says the airport being the facility that accommodates all the aviation stakeholders in the aviation industry be it airlines, ground handling companies, training institutes, catering services, aviation fueling companies, aviation securities and other ancillary support services has a number of constraints that hinder their survival.
In his presentation at the 28th Annual Conference of the League of Airport & Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) held at Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, under the theme, Aviation Survivability Amidst A Challenging Macro-Economic Environment,” Jibodu identified high operating cost as a major challenge resulting from foreign exchange, inflation, lack of specialized manpower, regulatory compliance, low patronage, among other cost motivators.
He said other challenges to airports survivability are incessant labour unrest and poor route development.
“To get out of this, your approach must be bold, daring and very creative,” he said, adding that considerations of possible solutions must be hinged on revenue optimization. Possible steps include innovation involving diversification of services such as cargo operations. He cited the Cold Cargo and the recent set up of creative departments like the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) airport wedding.
Jibodu further proposed cost management in form of delay of non-essential capital expenditures and reducing overhead costs, strategic collaboration and partnership with stakeholders in the industry to reduce cost, reduce risk exposures and share resources and embracing technological advancements, which can reduce cost and enhance passenger experience.
Other possible measures are route optimization, government support in form of regulatory adjustment and understanding growing needs in the aviation industry while developing profitable and sustainable services to satisfy them.
Jibodu noted that already, MMA2 had adopted digital cold storage, premium concierge service which is a niche market, and the airport wedding initiative.
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