Nigeria has fined British Airways $135 million and Virgin Atlantic $100 million for:

“. . . for abuse of a dominant position, fixing prices, abusing fuel surcharges and taking advantage of passengers. . .”

Apparently Nigeria can’t resist acting like the stereotype of an African country.  What this is about is Nigeria wanting its flag airline, Arik Air, to do better financially and to compete on the same level as those two world class airlines.  Let me point out that right now you could pick any one of the US based SuperLegacy airlines and discover that they, too, would have trouble competing with the services provided by those two airlines. 

Airlines have long been the source of national pride for nations and particularly so in Africa.  And when they find they cannot compete effectively, they decide to blame it on the Imperialists.  I take note that that isn’t limited to Africa.  India is engaged in the same shennanigans with European airlines in an effort to protect their flag airline, Air India. 

Why?  Because those governments can’t stand looking their own citizens in the eye and telling them that competing means operating efficiently and effectively like the rest of the world.  Instead, they preserve the airlines at any cost in order to preserve what are perceived to be high profile jobs for their citizens. 

Rather than pay those extortionate fines, I would suggest that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic withdraw their services to Nigeria and prevail upon the British government to withdraw landing rights to Arik Air at any airport within the UK borders.  This is a case of “they need us more than we need them” in my humble opinion.

Filed under: Airline News by ajax