Nigeria Reportedly Threatens to Ban “Some British Airlines”

Excerpt from report by Radio Nigeria from Abuja on 17 May

[Presenter] Nigeria says it may be forced to ban some British airlines from flying into some of the country’s airports for their refusal to respect bilateral air services agreement. The minister of state for aviation, Chief Femi Fani Kayode, gave the indication at a news briefing in Abuja.

He said the action was sequel to the British authorities’ refusal to allow some international carriers to land at the Heathrow Airport, London.

Chief Fani Kayode said the British government had no option than to change its attitude in this direction, adding that under the bilateral air services agreement of which Britain was a signatory, it had no right to ban airlines from flying into its airports. [Kayode's comments indistinct].

[Presenter] The minister made it clear that it was his responsibility to seek the interest of the nation’s local and international carriers. He said British flights might be restricted to Kano [northern Nigeria] or Calabar [southeastern Nigeria] airports if the practice continued.

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