Diplomatic row looms as govt moves to bar airlines

THE next couple of days may determine the fate of thousands of travellers on the lucrative Nigeria-London route as the Federal Government has maintained that it will go ahead to suspend British carriers from operating in Nigeria.

British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic Airways may be stopped on April 25 from flying to Nigeria over high fares charged passengers on business and first classes.
The crisis could be serious because the United Kingdom (UK) and many parts of Europe are close to summer, a period where global traffic is expected to be on the rise.

The airlines are the first choice among premium travellers from Nigeria and together, they control about 90 per cent of traffic to London. The Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah-Ogiewonyi, had few weeks ago given a 30-day ultimatum to foreign airlines, especially BA and Virgin Atlantic, to reduce their fares on Nigerian route or face ban. The 30-day ultimatum expires on April 25.

The spokesman to the Minister of Aviation, Toyin Opaise, told The Guardian at the weekend that “there is no shift in our position. All foreign airlines have been told to pay for excess billings. Prices must come down.” Already, the British authorities had also warned of retaliating by evoking the principle of reciprocity should Nigeria go ahead to stop its airlines from operating in the country.

Penultimate week, Reuters had quoted the spokesman of the British High Commission in Nigeria as warning Nigeria that Britain could take ‘retaliatory’ actions should Nigeria go ahead with its threats.
By evoking the principle of reciprocity, the British authorities could also bar Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, Arik, from its airspace; a situation that could lead to huge dislocation in travel for thousands of travellers on the lucrative route.

In the event of travel crisis, many other foreign carriers may find it extremely difficult to cope with backlogs that may emanate from the period that these carriers may cease operations.

Kotoka International Airport Accra

A source in government said the Ghanaian government may be willing to give the British carriers frequencies to cope with capacity on the route as there are indications that Nigerian travellers could travel to Accra for their journey.

This will further boost the economy of the West African country as the revenue from airport tax and passenger tax could double.
The President/Chief Executive Officer, Sabre Network, West Africa, a United States (U.S.)-based airline global distribution system, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, said it would be very interesting to see the two governments carry out their intention against all professional opinion come Wednesday