The Federal Government, yesterday, dared British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways to refuse to compensate Nigerians for their unfair method of competition, deceptive practices and violation of Nigerian law and be prepared to face the consequences.
Government had, through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Wednesday, ordered the two British carriers to pay $235 million to Nigerians as compensation.
But government’s latest tough stance on the issue arose out of the defiant response of British Airways which rejected the order amid declarations that it would vigorously defend its position on the matter.
BA had said in a statement last night: “We reject the allegations made by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and we are vigorously defending our position. We remain committed to Nigeria and have been flying there for more than 75 years. We pride ourselves on offering competitive fares, a choice of products and connections to our Nigerian customers.”
But speaking with Vanguard on the telephone last night, Director-General of the NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, insisted that the two British carriers must pay up, but said government was keeping to its chest what action to take if the airlines failed to obey the directive.
He noted that if the British Airways could pay compensation ordered by the US government as a result of its illegal fuel surcharge imposed on American citizens, it must pay up in Nigeria.
He said: “They charged them for unnecessary fuel surcharge in America and they paid, why shouldn’t they pay here? Their unnecessary fuel surcharge on Nigerians is a rip off. We must protect Nigerians’ interest.
“We are opposed to unfair, discriminatory and abuse of dominant position. We must protect our citizens. The Nigerian market is open to exploration but opposed to exploitation.”
He noted that commercial air operations was founded on reciprocity between and among countries, stressing that a situation where some airlines now dominate others in violation of laid down principles was not acceptable.
Asked what government would do should the two airlines refuse to heed its order, Demuren said: “You wait and see what happens. We are keeping what we will do to our chest but they must pay.” That is our position.”
The row between Nigeria and Britain started earlier in the month, following the muscling of Arik Air out of Heathrow Airport in London through slot allocation, a move that was said to have been instigated by British Airways, and this compelled the Nigerian carrier to shut down its Abuja-London operation on October 29.
As a retaliatory measure, the federal government immediately slashed British Airways’ frequencies on its Lagos-London operation to three from seven.
Consequently, officials of both countries have been locked in marathon negotiations which have remained inconclusive.
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THIS ACTION OF NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT IS A LAUDABLE ONE AND MUST BE FOLLOWED TO A LOGICAL CONCLUSION. IT IS THIS SAME BRITISH AIRWAYS THAT STOPPED PAYMENT OF COMMISSION TO TRAVEL AGENT WHICH SOME OTHER AIRLINES LIKE QATAR AIRWAYS ARE NOW EMULATING.THEY WILL ALL ONE DAY PAY FOR THEIR ACTIONS.
ReplyDeleteThanks God, Nigerians have people fighting for them in the international arena. It is unfortunate that these other people believe Nigeria has lost all her responsible citizens. I pray this will be the beginning of changes for better Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteI strongly support our government on step taken against looking down upon us.