Lagos-based senior lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana called on the federal government to suspend British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from flying into Nigeria until Nigeria carrier, Air Peace, is allowed to also fly on the Lagos-London route in accordance with the provisions of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) signed by Nigeria and United Kingdom.
Falana stated this at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference held in Abuja recently.
Falana explained that BASA allows for reciprocity of flight operations on the route by designated airlines of both countries in line with the agreement signed by both countries.
He therefore said it is “out of place and unfair” for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to be allowed to continue flying into Nigeria without any Nigerian airline flying to London in return.
He observed that Air Peace has proved it has the capacity to operate on the international routes, adding that the airline currently flies to China, Israel, India and South Africa among others using modern aircraft comparable to those of its foreign competitors.
Falana, therefore, submitted that if Air Peace is not allowed to fly to London, then British Airways and Virgin Atlantic should be stopped from flying to Nigeria.
