To promote passenger inclusiveness, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd. (BASL), operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), has trained customer-facing staff on autism awareness, care and inclusive service delivery.
This is contained in a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, on Friday in Lagos.
She said the training was facilitated by Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative and led by Solape Azazi, WHO CST Master Trainer.
According to Yinka-Olawuyi, the training is aimed at equipping frontline airport personnel with the knowledge, sensitivity, and practical skills required to effectively support passengers on the autism spectrum and their families.
She said it focused on understanding autism, identifying signs of sensory overload or distress, demonstrating effective communication strategies, and encouraging teamwork that prioritised compassion, dignity, and understanding for every traveler.
Mr Kola Bamigboye, Acting Chief Operating Officer and Head of Space and Premises, noted that the programme aligned with the organisation’s vision of making MMA2 a truly inclusive airport terminal.
According to Bamigboye, making MMA2 a terminal where every passenger, regardless of ability, can travel with comfort, confidence and respect.
“Air travel can be particularly overwhelming for individuals on the autism spectrum due to noise, crowds, and multiple sensory triggers within the airport environment. By empowering our customer-facing teams with the right training, we are strengthening our commitment to ensuring that all passengers enjoy a seamless and supportive experience,” he said.
Also commenting on the significance of the training, the Head of Human Resources and Administration, Mrs Feyikemi Fadeyibi, emphasised the role of workforce development in driving service excellence.
“At BASL, we recognise that our people are at the heart of the passenger experience. Continuous training and capacity building are essential to ensure that our workforce is not only professionally competent but also empathetic and responsive to the diverse needs of the traveling public.
“Customer care is one of our core values and our culture, driven by a strong sense of family, compels us to treat every passenger with dignity, patience, and understanding. This Autism Sensitisation Training strengthens our culture of inclusion and equips our staff with the confidence and skills to provide respectful, informed, and compassionate support to every passenger,” she said.
In her remarks, Solape Azazi emphasised the significance of the initiative.
“The Autism Sensitisation training happening today is crucial for creating a supportive environment, ensuring understanding and dignity for every traveler with autism. Autism, unlike other neurodevelopmental conditions, does not have a physical marker and so most individuals with autism are not easily identified except there is a recognised behavior indicating sensory overload or discomfort experienced by a traveler.
“The objectives of the training are to understand autism fundamentals and concepts, identify signs of distress, and demonstrate effective communication. While encouraging teamwork that prioritises compassion and understanding for everyone,” she said.
This initiative forms part of BASL’s continuous drive to improve operational standards and passenger satisfaction at MMA2.
This is in order to position the terminal as a leader in inclusive and accessible service delivery within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
(NAN)
