FG fines British Airways $135m, Virgin Atlantic $100m

LAGOS- (AFP) – The Nigerian Airport Authorities have fined British Airways $135 million and Virgin Atlantic $100 million amid a dispute over ticket prices, the head of the Nigerian Airport Authorities said Thursday.

Harold Demuren told AFP the fines were “$135 million against BA, $100 million against Virgin Atlantic …,” for allegedly overcharging on ticket prices. He said the airlines had received notice of the fines on Tuesday.

Asked for specifics on the complaints against the airlines, Demuren reeled off a list of accusations, saying, “It’s a collusion, deceptive, discriminatory and abuse of dominant position…”

“In addition, they must compensate all those passengers,” Demuren said, adding that the airlines were given 14 days to respond.

Nigeria’s government has been in negotiations over allegations that British Airways has been overcharging on its routes between Nigeria and Britain.

Nigeria has also been in talks with British officials over slots at London’s Heathrow airport.

Demuren denied that the fines were linked to the negotiations over the Heathrow slots.

More details later