THE Federal Government has begun discussion with the British authorities to regularise the inconsistent Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the two nations.
Consequently, Nigerian designated carrier, Arik Air, has discontinued its Abuja-London operations over the air services agreement and alleged discrepancy over access to the allocated frequencies.
While speaking to reporters at the weekend, Chairman of Arik Air, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide, explained that the decision was taken to review "future operations between the federal capital and the UK due to a protracted issue over the 2008 Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the UK and Nigeria and the discrepancy over access to the allocated frequencies."
He equally cited many other determining factors such as the very high operating and infrastructure costs at London Heathrow Airport as other reasons for the suspension.
He noted that from a commercial objective, "we need to take into account the profitability of this route to the airline. We serviced a much-needed connection since November 29, 2009 but it has not fully reflected our expectations and that has been taken into consideration as well."
The airline chief stated that under the BASA agreement of 2008, UK carriers were granted a total of 21 frequencies into Nigeria, adding that Nigerian carriers were afforded a reciprocal 21 frequencies into London, Heathrow.
According to him, his airline operates 12 of the agreed 21 reciprocal frequencies in the UK and Nigeria, pointing out that of these frequencies, "seven are operated through slots secured under the primary rights of the BASA agreement."
"However, due to the alleged insufficiency of Heathrow slots, Arik's five Abuja frequencies have to date been operated via slots secured though separate commercial arrangements outside the auspices of the BASA agreement."
The nine remaining frequencies given to Nigeria under the UK/ Nigeria BASA agreement he said were unutilised whilst their counterparts utilised their full complement of 21 frequencies into Nigeria, with unfettered access to the necessary landing/ departure slots made available by Nigeria's honouring of the BASA agreement.
"The Federal Government of Nigeria is entering into discussions with the British authorities to regularise the inconsistency. Arik supports and welcomes the dialogue between the venerated authorities", he added.
As a winding up process, Arumemi-Ikhide said ahead of the winter schedule, which commences on October 31, 2011, the airline will suspend the five times weekly flight between Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and London Heathrow, Terminal 4, while the last flight to operate on the route will be on October 28.
His words: "All passengers booked after this date on the route will be offered a full refund or can be rebooked via Lagos with onward internal connections to Abuja. We are doing our utmost to ensure that all of our customers are protected and to minimize any inconvenience that this discontinuation may have on them."
The Guardian