This suggestion was made by Mr. Femi Falana, a human rights
activist in Nigeria, during the recently concluded Nigerian Bar Association
(NBA) Conference in Abuja.
According to the BASA agreements between the two nations,
there is a provision for reciprocity in flight operations along the designated
route by airlines from both countries in accordance with the terms of the
signed agreement.
He asserted that it was unjust and inappropriate for British
Airways and Virgin Atlantic to be permitted to continue their flights into
Nigeria without any Nigerian airline reciprocating such services.
Furthermore, he highlighted that Air Peace has demonstrated
its capability to operate international routes, mentioning that the airline
currently offers services to destinations like China, Israel, India, and South
Africa, utilizing modern aircraft that are on par with those of foreign
competitors.
Falana firmly stated, “If Air Peace is not granted the
opportunity to operate flights to London, then British Airways and Virgin
Atlantic should also be prohibited from flying into Nigeria.”
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways currently
operate approximately 21 weekly flights to Nigeria.
British Airways serves 14 weekly flights to two Nigerian
airports, namely Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.
Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic Airways provides seven weekly
flights from Heathrow Airport in London to Lagos.
Air Peace has applied to operate the Lagos-London route,
although approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) is pending to
commence operations.
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