NCAA vs BA Latest: British Airways Insists Not To Have Committed Any Offence

The muscle-flexing between Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and British Airways continued yesterday, as the airline claimed not to have committed any offence, even as the regulatory agency insisted it must protect the interest of Nigerians against price fixing.

This came on the heels of the five-man administrative panel set up by the regulatory agency to look into the legality and fairness of the $235 million fine slammed on the two British carriers, BA and Virgin Atlantic Airways, as compensation for Nigerians, arising from price fixing.

British Airways also said it had not received further correspondence from the NCAA, claiming there was nothing to even negotiate.

“The NCAA is determined to vigorously defend the rights of Nigerian consumers and ensure an industry that encourages and rewards fair, open and acceptable business practices and ethics, while discouraging and penalizing any conduct that violates the law, disregards Nigerians and Nigeria, discriminates against and exploits or takes undue advantage of our people,” NCAA Director-General, Dr. Harold Demuren, said weekend in the statement announcing set up of the administrative panel.

A source close to the Aviation Ministry informed that the airline was currently negotiating with the regulatory agency over the fine, but BA dismissed any talk of negotiation, insisting it committed no offence. Country Commercial Manager Nigeria, British Airways, Mr. Kola Olayinka, said in a reaction: “We are waiting for further communications from NCAA. 

British Airways maintains it has not committed any offence as a company and we will continue to vigorously defend our position as laid down under the laws. You cannot negotiate on something you did not do. As we speak, we have no new official communications from the NCAA.”