Nigerian Govt Considers Restricting British Airways From Lagos Airport

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Federal Government of Nigeria is contemplating restricting British Airways from operating at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos due to a dispute over airport slots in the United Kingdom. Currently, Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, is compelled to operate flights to Gatwick Airport instead of Heathrow, the UK’s primary airport. On Friday, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that the ministry had reached out to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), requesting that Air Peace be allowed to operate at Heathrow Airport in accordance with the reciprocity principle outlined in the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). Speaking at the 28th Annual Conference of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos, Keyamo argued that it was unjust to allow British Airways unrestricted access to Nigeria’s busiest airport, MMIA, while Nigerian airlines were not granted the same privileges in the UK under the BASA agreement. Keyamo mentioned that the Nigerian ministry was still awaiting a response from their UK counterparts. He stressed that countries should adhere to the BASA arrangements Nigeria has with other governments and warned that failure to do so could result in retaliatory actions from the Nigerian Government. Keyamo highlighted the disparity in international flight operations, noting that many international airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa, Delta, and United Airlines operate multiple flights to Nigeria, while Nigerian airlines are not reciprocating these routes.  Even South African Airways operates flights to Nigeria without a Nigerian counterpart doing the same. Air Peace currently manages to operate flights to London, albeit to Gatwick, but efforts are underway to secure access to Heathrow. Keyamo criticized the notion of a “slot committee,” urging the UK to recognize and respect existing bilateral agreements. The Minister said, “We have already written to the United Kingdom to give Nigerian carriers, especially Air Peace Heathrow Airport, which is a tier one airport, just as we have British Airways, using our Lagos airport. We may as well give BA Ilorin to operate to. When we asked for Heathrow Airport, you’re telling us to go to a slot committee. Who does that? Air Peace I can tell you is on its way to Heathrow away from Gatwick. “The local operators are struggling to cover their routes locally, not to talk of our international routes; Air France is coming here 10 times a week, we are not going to Paris, Lufthansa is coming here, we are not going to Frankfurt, Delta and United from America are all coming here, but we are not reciprocating. Even, South African Airways is coming here, we are not going there. “We only managed to have Air Peace in London and to Gatwick, but we are pushing for them to take us to Heathrow. You can’t tell us you have a slot committee. Your airport operator should know that you have an existing relationship and they should respect it. “For connectivity, people prefer Heathrow. That is an airport you can have an airline to codeshare with so that there can be connectivity.”

FAAN apprehends 21 touts at Lagos Airport

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has successfully conducted a series of arrests at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, resulting in the capture of 21 suspects involved in various illicit activities. Among those apprehended were touts, illegal foreign exchange dealers, hawkers, and scavengers. Mr. Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, disclosed this information in a statement released on Sunday. Emphasizing the importance of creating a sanitized airport environment free from illegal activities, FAAN handed over the suspects to the Police for further investigation and appropriate legal action. The recent arrests are part of FAAN’s proactive approach to combat touting and other illegitimate activities within the airport premises. In collaboration with the Joint Monitoring Task Force (JMTF) and the Aviation Security Crime Investigation and Intelligence (AVSEC-CII) Unit, FAAN has been conducting targeted raids in recent weeks. These raids have led to the apprehension of not only touts but also cable thieves and other miscreants who pose a threat to airport safety and security. On a specific operation conducted on August 4, 2023, the JMTF and AVSEC-CII raided the ITZ 1 and 2 landside, the car parks, and the airport access roads, resulting in the capture of 21 individuals involved in various illegal activities. FAAN’s Director, Mr. Yakubu-Funtua, sternly warned individuals who have no legitimate business at the airport to refrain from engaging in unlawful acts, as further arrests will be made to uphold the safety and security of airport users and the airport environment. “The Joint Monitoring Task Force (JMTF) and the Aviation Security Crime Investigation and Intelligence (AVSEC-CII) Unit have since the past few weeks conducted raids in this regard. “Cable thieves and other miscreants have been apprehended in the course of these raids. “On Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) JMTF and AVSEC-CII raided the ITZ 1 and 2 landside, the car parks, and the airport access roads. “In the course of the raid, a total of 21 persons including touts, illegal foreign exchange dealers, hawkers, and scavengers were arrested. “The apprehended suspects have since been transferred to the Nigerian Police Force through the CII for further necessary action,” he said. Reaffirming FAAN’s commitment to its core values of safety, security, and passenger comfort, the director highlighted the authority’s unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards for the benefit of all airport users.