The British government have issued a stern warning to Nigeria that it would take retaliatory steps against its airlines, if the federal government bans UK based carriers over fare disparity.
Over the weekend, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, gave all foreign airlines a 30-day ultimatum to adjust its fares to reflect equity with their prevailing fares on the West Coast or face ban from operating in the country.
Reacting to the ultimatum, Britain said banning private airlines from operating in Nigeria would amount to a “heavy-handed action that would be catastrophic.”
According to a British High Commission spokesman;
“If the ban would cause potential foreign investors to question whether they want to put their money in Nigeria and have a long-term and damaging effect on Nigeria’s growth.
The Prime Minister and President Goodluck Jonathan signed a joint communique last year pledging to double bilateral trade. Action against BA and Virgin would damage that strategic aim.”
Reacting to the statement, Princess Oduah said;
“We are seriously concerned and worried by the reluctance to restore parity within the region by the foreign airlines. They have been using all kinds of delay tactics; this is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated. We will resolve this issue once and for all.”
This is a simple case of demand and supply. If demand keeps increasing, prices will continue to go up. Let Nigerians boycott the airlines and fly the indigenous airlines and they will lower their prices to be competitive.
It is not a good business practice to coerce a service provider to charge a particular price for their services.
VANGUARD
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