President Goodluck Jonathan has endorsed plan by the Ministry of Aviation to compel the British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and other international airlines operating in the country to correct the disparity in the fare charged Nigerians against that charged other West African passengers.
A top source in the ministry told Vanguard that before the announcement of the 30-day ultimatum issued the two British carriers and other international airlines by the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, President Jonathan and some key members of the National Assembly were fully briefed on the development.
It was learnt that the decision to issue the ultimatum had been delayed this far on the advice of the President that the affected carriers be given time to respond and adjust the fares accordingly.
The source said the Federal Government had not been communicated by the British Government on the reported plan to retaliate any action that would be taken by Nigerian government against the carriers should the latter go ahead with sanctioning the carriers at the expiration of the ultimatum.
He said: “We are not aware of the plan by the British Government to carry out any retaliation. We are not at war with Britain. We are fully engaged in diplomacy where some parameters of justice and equity are being demanded.
“What we are saying is that Nigerians should not be exploited by these carriers. As government, we have done our own studies on the fare regime being charged and we found out that it is clearly unfair, it is unacceptable and unjustifiable for Nigerians to be charged higher than those from other West African countries.
“This process has been on the table since last year and these two airlines have been given ample time and opportunities to respond and they chose not to do that and we cannot continue to look at the situation. We must deal with this situation once and for all.”
Air of arrogance
The source said so far, the two airlines had carried on with some air of arrogance each time the Nigerian government tried to get them to discuss the issue, adding: “There are some arrogance about it. Each time you talk to them, they say Nigerians are ready to pay these fare disparity and that why should we be complaining as government?
“But the question is that: why would they have that huge disparity between the fares charged in the economy class which is about the same as those charged other West African passengers and the fares charged in the business and first class?
“It is the same plane that carries both the economy and these other classes. If you charge the same for Nigerians travelling in economy class as those of his or her counterparts in other West African countries, why charging a huge disparity for the business and first class different from those charged other West Africans in the same class as well?
“I must tell you that they have no option than to come to the table. The repercussions are so clear and the government is quite ready. We are not just talking as Aviation ministry, we are talking the minds of government and Nigerian people. It would be of greater economic benefit for Britain to have more cordial economic atmosphere and relationship with Nigeria. So, the doors are open for British Airways, Virgin and the British government to come to the table on this matter.”
The source disclosed that a committee had been set up to carry out all necessary negotiations on this matter and that so far, there were indications that they were ready to come to the table.
