Publications
Partners
Abuja - Nigeria said on Thursday it was fining airlines
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic a total of $235m, as an ongoing row between
Britain and Africa's most populous nation over landing slots and ticket prices
escalates.
Flights between Britain and Nigeria almost came to a halt
this week but a last minute deal on Tuesday ensured British Airways, Virgin
Atlantic and Nigeria's flagship airline Arik Air continue to fly from London to
Lagos and Abuja.
The airlines did not provide immediate comment.
"We are charging British Airways $135m and Virgin
Atlantic $100m for abuse of a dominant position, fixing prices, abusing fuel
surcharges and taking advantage of passengers," said Harold Demuren,
Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
"We have been investigating for the last six months.
Lagos to London has the highest route yield in the world. Our market is open
for exploration, not exploitation."
Nigeria threatened last month to reduce British Airways
flights between London and the West African nation's commercial-hub Lagos to
three from seven weekly, after London Heathrow stopped Arik Air flights from
the capital Abuja.
A deal this week means all flights will continue until the
end of the year when the Nigerian government wants something done about the
high ticket costs on British airlines.
Nigeria's aviation ministry says British airlines charge far
more to fly to Nigeria than to neighbouring Ghana, while it believes Arik Air
should not have to pay high costs to land at Heathrow when Lagos airport
doesn't charge those fees.
Britain has said that it can't control what private companies who control the airlines and airports charge but it is in constructive dialogue with the Nigerian government.
