FAAN vs BA Latest: British PM, David Cameron Writes President Goodluck Jonathan

British Airways lobbyists have pressured the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, to intercede on behalf of the airline to save it from losing more than 50 per cent of its flight frequency to Nigeria following the treatment meted out to Nigeria airline, Arik Air, at Heathrow Airport.

This came as Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi, said yesterday that the Federal Government’s action on British Airways was informed by the need to protect the country’s domestic airlines. A dependable government source disclosed that Mr. Cameron had waded in last Friday following the insistence of the Ministry of Aviation that British Airways should restructure its London-Lagos flight frequency from seven to three weekly.

According to the source, the Prime Minister had written a strong letter of appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan, seeking a resolution of the matter in more beneficial manner to the two countries. It was learnt that sequel to Cameron’s letter, the President had directed the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, to grant a week extension to BA to allow both Nigeria aviation authorities and that of Britain sort out the disagreement

The source said: “The British Prime Minister actually wrote to our President on this. So discussions are now at the highest government level and this is why a week extension was granted BA to comply with new flight schedule given to the airlines. “The import of the letter is to see how to find a way to resolve the issue diplomatically in a manner that Nigeria will not be shortchanged and this can only come if Arik is restored its full flight schedule.”

A statement in Abuja, Monday, by Joe Obi, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Aviation, had underscored the need to allow the bilateral discussion end before the commencement of the new flight schedule of the British Airways to Murtala Mohammed International Airport.