MMA2 Operator Plans Slot Management and Digitisation to Ease Peak-Hour Congestion
Why It MattersThe plan reflects growing pressure on Nigerian airport infrastructure to keep pace with rising passenger volumes and expanding scheduled airline capacity.
The operator of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) in Lagos, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), is pursuing slot coordination, digitisation and infrastructure improvements to relieve severe peak-hour congestion, according to details disclosed at the ACI Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition 2026 held in Abuja. Figures presented by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) showed Nigeria recorded more than 18.8 million domestic and international passengers in 2025, up 11.9 percent year-on-year, while OAG data showed scheduled airline capacity reached roughly 1.19 million seats in September 2026, a 37.4 percent rise over the same month in 2025.
BASL said the core problem at MMA2 is not a shortage of terminal space but a heavy concentration of airline departures in early morning hours, straining check-in, security screening and landside access simultaneously. It is engaging domestic airlines on adopting a Level 2 schedule-coordination and slot-management system to spread departures more evenly across the day, while noting that any changes must account for airlines' commercial and revenue considerations.
On security, BASL said it has been engaging FAAN on deploying adequate Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel to staff existing screening infrastructure during peak periods, with FAAN acknowledging the challenge and working toward solutions. To ease landside congestion, BASL has held discussions with the Police Airport Command, Air Force authorities and other security stakeholders to improve vehicular access to the airport.
On technology, BASL said it is in discussions with service partners to further digitise key processing points to improve operational efficiency, and the terminal is planning to introduce a dedicated "No-Bag Zone" to give passengers travelling without checked baggage a streamlined check-in and security experience.
