The Senate is set to unravel the circumstances behind the disparity in airfare charged by foreign airlines in Nigeria compared to other countries.
This followed a motion raised by Senator Hope Uzodinma who noted that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic airways as charging arbitrary fees on Nigerian travellers over and above rates charged by them on routes of same or equal distance outside Nigeria.
While a first class fare for Abuja-London return flight is $10,144, the Accra-London equivalent is $4,798.
The Senate consequently mandated its Committee on Aviation to investigate all issues relating to compliance or non-compliance with relevant aviation laws and all unwholesome activities by foreign airlines and the role played by regulatory agencies which undermine the growth of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
The Senate also berated regulatory authorities in the Nigerian aviation industry for aiding illegality and violation of Nigerian Civil Aviation laws by foreign airlines.
Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, had over the weekend threatened to ban any foreign airline which failed to adjust its fares to reflect equity with their prevailing fares as is obtainable in other West Africa countries. She gave the airlines one month ultimatum to review their fares.
Reacting to the ultimatum the British government said banning private airlines would amount to a “heavy-handed action that would be catastrophic.” It also warned that it would take retaliatory steps against Nigerian airlines, if the federal government bans the British Airways and Virgin Atlantic over fare disparity.
The fare dispute is running parallel to another row between Nigeria and Britain over airport landing slots.
Nigeria’s biggest carrier Arik Air recently stopped its daily flights between Abuja and London Heathrow because it was being prevented from getting arrival and departure slots at UK airports.
At the conclusion of its investigation into the matter, the Senate Committee on Aviation is expected to come out with a report which would guide the Senate and possibly the federal government on how to handle the issue.
