Nigeria secures additional flights to London for Arik Air – Nigeria’s Arik Air will be allowed to fly from the capital city of Abuja to London Heathrow, following discussions between officials of Nigerian and British aviation authorities in Abuja Tuesday.The private Nation newspaper reported Wednesday that in return, British Airways’ seven weekly flights along the Lagos-London route will be allowed to continue till the end of the year, pending the resolution of the outstanding issues between the two countries.

Nigeria had slashed BA’s flights from seven to three, after Nigerian flag carrier Arik was barred from flying from Abuja to Heathrow.A sticking point between the two countries remains the high fares charged by BA on the Lagos-London and Abuja-London routes.On Tuesday, Nigeria rejected BA’s 20% fare cut offer, saying it does not go far enough.A one-way, first class fare along the Lagos-London route is US$5,408, whereas the same booking for a passenger on the Accra-London route is US$2,399.Also, a one-way, business class fare on the Lagos-London route is US$3,685, compared to the US$2,049 fare on the same booking on the Accra-London route.

The British authorities requested to be given an opportunity to carry out an independent study of the regional pricing disparity in the UK/Nigerian aviation market. We expect the conclusion of this study by the end of the year to facilitate a conclusion on the subject,’ according to Joe Obi, Media Assistant to the Aviation Minister.With respect to slot at Heathrow airport, seven slots per week from Abuja have been secured by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for Arik Air at prevailing commercial rates,’ he said.