The Federal government has given foreign airlines operating in the country 30 days ultimatum to reduce fares or face ban.
British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic have just 30 days to lower fares or face a ban from flying to Nigeria, the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah said on Monday.
Mrs Oduah has said it is unfair that BA and Virgin charged more to fly to Nigeria than to neighbouring West African countries.
Oduah said Nigeria remained an important and lucrative route for the international airlines, warning that anyone not ready to treat Nigerians with equity and dignity would be barred from operating in the country.
Its civil aviation authority fined the two airlines last year a combined $235 million for fixing prices. BA, which is owned by International Airlines Group and Virgin, rejected the accusation.
“We are seriously concerned and worried by the reluctance to restore parity within the region by the foreign airlines,” Mrs Oduah said in a statement.
“They have been using all kinds of delay tactics, this is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated… (we will) resolve this issue once and for all.”
Britain said only business and first class fares were more expensive to Nigeria than neighbouring countries because of high demand for those seats. It also said banning BA and Virgin would break a bilateral air services agreement.
“It (the ban) would cause potential foreign investors to question whether they want to put their money in Nigeria and have a long-term and damaging effect on Nigeria’s growth,” the British High Commission spokesman said.
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| Cameron, British PM. and President Jonathan |
The fare dispute is running parallel to another row between Nigeria and Britain over airport landing slots.
Nigeria’s biggest carrier Arik Air said this month it would have to stop its daily flights between Abuja and London Heathrow because it was being prevented from getting arrival and departure slots at UK airports.
“It is wrong to suggest that Arik has been prevented from flying into Heathrow. Our understanding is that Arik is just unwilling to pay for the cost of renting or buying landing slots,” the British spokesman said, adding it was something all airlines who want new slots into Heathrow needed to do Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Mrs Oduah, who will be at loss if these airlines are banned from Nigeria? We should stop insulting our intelligence and make laws that will benefit our economy.
ReplyDeleteCarry on beauty queen princess minister! Plus, don't succumb to cheap blackmail and rhetorics from the UK end.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous 12:50PM
ReplyDeleteU don't know anything,u are just there brag-ado.
The local flights they suppose to adjust prices downward,they didn't do it,now she is making ego on international flights.The one that will benefit the masses is left un-attended to.
Here we go again!!! Educated illiterates running govt.
ReplyDeleteAll European airlines charge as much as the same. Arik Nigeria is also just as expensive.
We are tired of all this grandstanding that leads nowhere
Dear All, the minister is doing the right thing by asking for price reduction on Nigeria route. The cost of flying to some American cities with longer hours is by far lower than to Nigeria. I stand to be corrected if there is any differing opinion to this with facts. If the charges by the major airlines is brought down Arik will be forced to come down on its pricing the Telecom sector as a case in hand.
ReplyDelete