Skip to main content

Falana Seeks Suspension Of British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Over BASA Breach

Foremost human right Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called for the suspension of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from operating in Nigeria over breach of the nation’s Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).

Falana while speaking at the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Abuja, said the suspension shouldn’t be lifted until Nigerian indigenous airline, Air Peace is allowed to operate the Lagos-London route.

According to Falana, BASA allows for reciprocity of flight operations on the route by designated airlines in line with the agreement signed by both countries.

According to him, it was out of place and unfair for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to be allowed to continue flying into Nigeria without any Nigerian airline flying to London in return.

He observed that Air Peace has proven it has the capacity to operate on international routes, adding that the airline currently flies to China, Israel, India and South Africa among others using modern aircraft comparable to those of its foreign competitors.

“If Air Peace is not allowed to fly to London, then British Airways and Virgin Atlantic should be stopped from flying to Nigeria,” he stated.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways both have about 21 weekly frequencies to Nigeria.

While British Airways operates 14 weekly flights to two airports in Nigeria; Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, Virgin Atlantic Airways flies weekly seven frequencies to Lagos from Heathrow Airport in London.

Air Peace, on the other hand, had applied to fly the Lagos-London route, but the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) had yet to grant it approval to commence operations.

Just on Thursday in Lagos, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo told journalists in Lagos that the government would review the multiple entries granted to foreign airlines into the country.

He also that the new administration was willing to support the indigenous airlines but said they must show the capacity to deliver.

He said: “People have been complaining about our Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) and the airline operators said, ‘Look you can’t come under a BASA, and foreign airlines will be hopping from one city to the other within Nigeria, picking passengers.’ And this affects their local operations.

One of my cardinal objectives is that we have to develop the local industry and we have to protect and support our local operators, but they must give me and the Nigerian people comfort, too.

“They need to tell the Nigerian people that they can perform. I am clear as to where I am going, I have to balance all these interests. But I am looking at all of those issues before I come to a decision.”

Popular posts from this blog

#Watchvideo : SECURITY FORCES BURST THE CAMP OF UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN AKOKWA

Security Forces in the state through a coordinated intelligence report has bursted the camp of the unknown gunmen at Akokwa, Arondizuogu after a long gun duel which resulted to the death of some of the criminals and others arrested. These criminal elements have been known to be behind several attacks in the state such as the killing of police men in Mbaise, Aba Branch in Ehime Mbano, burning down of police stations, attack and attempted kidnapping of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, abduction of Miss. P.P. Johnson, a female soldier in Okigwe and recently the attack in Akokwa that left many dead. It is obvious that these daredevil gunmen have been perpetuating their evil plans unabated until yesterday when their camp was bursted by security agencies. This is another assurance that our security operatives are leaving no stone unturned in the fight against banditry and other related activities. While it has become obvious that the activities of these non state actors are politically motivate...
Read more

BREAKING: 2Baba Shot Dead In Rivers State

A notorious cult leader and the prime suspect in the brutal murder of the late Divisional Police Officer, SP Bako Angbashim, in the state, Gift Okpara, popularly referred to as 2Baba, has been reportedly killed in a police-led major security raid. The police and other security agencies were said to have conducted land and aerial raids at the identical hideout of the Iceland cult leader and his gang at Idu-Ekpeye in Ahoada East local government area of Rivers on Saturday, February 17. According to  The Nation , the Iceland cult leader was reportedly feared dead after the operation.   Recall that in September 2023, the late DPO was ambushed and captured by the cult group led by 2Baba in the Odiemudie community, Ahoada East LGA.   2Baba and his gang then took the DPO to the forest, where they killed him and dismembered his body. The cultists then filmed him. Another source, Obi, said he saw no less than 15 vehicles and an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) during th...
Read more

Prominent Leaders Pay Tribute to Late Sen Ifeanyi Ubah, at Anambra Community Candlelight Procession in Awka

Hundreds of mourners, friends, well-wishers, media representatives, and party faithful gathered are presently at Emmaus House in Awka for a candlelight procession to honor the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.  Chief Egwuonwu in his speech expressed his deep grief over the loss of his friend and brother, Senator Ubah, saying it's hard to find words to convey his emotions. However, he says that he finds solace in the tremendous impact Senator Ubah had on the lives of those he encountered. Chief Owelle Mbaso, leader of Anambra Former Political Appointees in paying glowing tribute said that Senator Ubah led a life worthy of emulation. He said "he knew he wouldn't pass this way again,reason he ensured he impacted on several life's without expecting anything in return." Mr Linus Williams, BLord in a glowing tribute recounted how Late Senator Ubah helped him when he was wrongly accused of sponsoring terrorism. He said " even though I have not meet him or seen ...
Read more