Renowned Nigerian lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has urged authorities to suspend flight operations of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic in Nigeria until the country’s own airline, Air Peace, is granted access to the Lagos-London route. This request is in alignment with the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) signed between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Speaking at the recently concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Abuja, Falana underscored the importance of reciprocity in flight operations as stipulated by the BASA. He expressed his disapproval of the current situation where British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are permitted to continue their flights into Nigeria without any Nigerian airline enjoying the same privilege in return.
Highlighting Air Peace’s capabilities in international aviation, Falana noted that the airline has successfully operated routes to China, Israel, India, and South Africa, utilizing modern aircraft that are on par with its foreign competitors.
Therefore, Falana firmly advocated, “If Air Peace is not allowed to fly to London, then British Airways and Virgin Atlantic should be stopped from flying to Nigeria.”
Air Peace boasts a modern fleet of long-haul and regional aircraft, positioning it as a formidable contender in the international aviation arena, comparable to other foreign carriers operating in Nigeria.
The recent denial of access to Air Peace on the Lagos-London route has shed light on the aero politics practiced by the United Kingdom and several other nations. These practices, according to Falana, are often employed to protect their own airlines while Nigerian authorities extend what he referred to as “red carpet treatment” to foreign carriers.
Prior to this development, various stakeholders had urged the Nigerian government to engage in aero politics as a strategic measure to safeguard indigenous airlines and promote local businesses.
As it stands, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic currently operate over 21 frequencies to Nigeria, enjoying a one-sided advantage without any Nigerian carrier reciprocating the same privilege. Falana’s call for suspension serves as a plea for fair play and adherence to the principles outlined in the BASA agreement.
The aviation industry, both in Nigeria and abroad, now eagerly awaits the response of authorities to this passionate plea made by Femi Falana on behalf of Air Peace and the broader Nigerian aviation sector.
