Recession: Concessionaires flee MMA2

As the recession bites harder, some concessionaires at the Murtala Mohammed Airport II (MMA 2) have closed their outlets at the terminal.

Daily Times investigations revealed that no fewer than eight concessionaires have closed business in the last few months following their inability to pay the high rent at the private terminal.

At the food court on the first floor, only one eatery out of the four was operational. It was gathered that others had left when our correspondent visited the terminal.

It was further learnt that their closure was due to hike in the rents at a time the economic situation was biting harder which has forced them to leave.

The terminal was a beehive of activities when it was commissioned a few years ago with banks, airlines, and concessionaires jostling for space.

A few years later, the harsh economic situation in the country and the demise of some airlines like Chanchangi and IRS has led to decrease in patronage

With the current recession, there has been a reduction in passenger traffic, which means airlines earn less than they usually do. Besides low passenger patronage, there has also been a reduction in aircraft fleet flying some routes which have the MMA2 as their base.

But a management staff with Bicourtney Aviation Services who pleaded anonymity said the management was planning big for the terminal, adding that bigger concessionaires have indicated interest in the place.