The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has set up an Administrative Appeal Panel to look into its investigative report, which accused British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways of colluding to increase Passenger Fuel Surcharge subjectively on the Nigeria-United Kingdom route.A statement signed by the Director-General, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, on Sunday, said the panel was constituted on Friday.According to the statement, the panel is to be chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice G. A Oguntade.The constitution of the panel followed BA and VAAs denial of the price-fixing allegation. One of the UK mega carriers had challenged the fairness and legality of the investigative report, which imposed a total fine of $235m on both carriers.The statement read in part, The NCAA has today constituted an Administrative Appeal Panel, chaired by retired Justice G. A. Oguntade of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, with respect to BA and VAAs challenge of the NCAAs finding and imposition of penalties, including payment of $235m total in finesOther members of the panel are Dr. Folarin Gbadebo-Smith, a respected and accomplished administrator, a graduate of Public Policy from Harvards Kennedy School of Government and an international businessman conversant with business processes and international issues of this nature; and Alhaji Bala Ibn NaAllah, the Sarkin Shanun Zuru of Zuru, Kebbi State. He is an accomplished lawyer, a skilled pilot and a former member of the House of Representatives, who served on the Aviation Committee.Also on the panel are Mr. Kanayo Oguakwa, a lawyer and a former member of the House of Representatives, who served as Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation and the House Committee on Tourism and Culture; and Callistus E. Uwakwe, a senior lawyer and author of Introduction to Civil Aviation Law in Nigeria, who is the secretary.NCAA said the panel would deliberate and consider the legality and fairness of the agencys investigation, report and findings with respect to the investigation into BA and VAAs collusion, deceptive, unfair and anti-competitive practices, especially with respect to the Passenger Fuel Surcharge.The regulatory authority said it was determined to follow the process to a full and final conclusion while respecting all persons rights and the law, and at the same time bringing its entire full weight to bear and enforcing it to the letter.The agency said, The Civil Aviation Act, Regulations, as well as our other laws in Nigeria respect the rights of all parties and operators in our economy. This step is a further confirmation of that. While the NCAA again stands by the quality of its investigation, this is another opportunity for operators to see the methodical, dispassionate, fair, open and confident manner in which the NCAA carries out its functions.The NCAA said it was determined to defend the rights of Nigerian consumers and ensure an industry that encourages and rewards fair, open and acceptable business practices and ethics, while discouraging and penalising any conduct that violates the law, disregards Nigerians and Nigeria, discriminates against and exploits or takes undue advantage of our people.
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