The United Kingdom flag carrier, British Airways, has lost its Boeing 747-400 dedicated parking bay at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, which is Nigerias flagship airport. BA has also lost its dedicated check-in counters and other special privileges it is enjoying at the airport.The Federal Governments decision, top government officials said, was not unconnected with the recent dispute that broke out between the two countries over take-off and landing slots for a Nigerian airline at the London Heathrow Airport.A top government official at the MMIA, who spoke under the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, "Government has withdrawn all the special treatments BA is enjoying at the MMIA. BA has lost its dedicated aircraft parking bay (arrival finger and avio-bridge) and check-in counters at the MMIA."Anytime BAs airplane comes into the country now, it has to wait for the next available parking bay; no more permanent bay and counters. The airline has to wait for the next available counter too. FAAN will now be moving and tossing them around. The government is telling them (BA) that they are no more wanted unless they do something about the Nigerian airlines slot issue at Heathrow Airport in London."The Federal Government had on Wednesday suddenly slashed BAs flight frequencies to the Lagos airport from seven per week to three. The decision was in apparent retaliation for an alleged denial of take-off and landing slots for the Nigerian airline at Heathrow.A government source had explained that the Ministry of Aviation was acting in response to the airlines petition over the matter.The UK government commenced discussion with the Federal Government over the matter on Thursday, according to a statement by BA office in Nigeria. However, as at press time on Sunday, the two governments had yet to reach any definite conclusion on the issue.However, by Tuesday British Airways will cease to operate four of its flights weekly frequencies to the Lagos airport, if the UK authorities failed to resolve the Nigerian airlines slots challenges at Heathrow. Over 500 passengers are transported between the two countries by BA everyday.Industry analysts said the sudden slash in BAs frequency by the government might lead to major travel chaos at the MMIA starting from Tuesday.In case the two governments failed to resolve the matter on time, the Country Manager, BA Nigeria, Mr. Kola Olayinka, said the UK carrier had a contingency plane in place.He, however, admitted that the situation could lead to a major travel disruption for most Nigerian travellers.He said, "What I know very well is that government will not want to disrupt the travel plans of Nigerians deliberately; I trust current engagements by the two governments will yield the desired positive results."My take is that BAs schedules are seven out of Lagos, I trust that with ongoing consultations, the slots will be given back to BA."'I also look forward to our colleagues at Arik being able to operate their slot into Heathrow or Gatwick if that should be their choice. The issue is that it is an independent company that handles the issue of slots in Heathrow; the company is called ACL, the way Arik pays for slots in Heathrow that is how BA also pays for slots." "In Nigeria, even if and when rates of government charges go up, we have no choice but to pay if we still want to fly into and out of Nigeria. For example, our landing and parking charges and other rates that we paid to FAAN alone in 2010 are up to N1.4bn; in 2011, the rates have gone up and we are still paying," Olayinka said.It is still unclear if BA will agree to new conditions stipulated for its operations at the MMIA.Apart from losing the dedicated parking bay and check-in counters, which may hamper smooth operations, BA has to park its plane at the MMIA from 6am to 10pm on the days of the new three weekly flights.This is in line with a new winter schedule released by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for all international airlines operating at MMIA.
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