BA Loses Revenue in Nigeria, S’ Africa

British Airways (BA) says its revenue generation in Nigeria and South Africa has dropped by 10 and 23 percents respectively as a result of global economic recession.

British Airways’ Regional commerenal manager, Africa, Mr. Ian Petrie who disclosed this to newsmen in London said the situation had taken its toll on the airline business as major clients from other industries including banks, oil firms among others had drastically reduced their budgets for travel.

On the controversy over alleged high air force charged by European carries, the airline chief said the availability of more flights out of Nigeria would ultimately bring down air fares.

He explained that government could help to bring down air fares by creating more capacity in the market, saying that ‘the more flights we have to Nigeria the cheaper the air fares’.

Petrie stated that the age of aircraft does not in any way indicate its safety, stressing that maintenance of aero planes, goes a long way in determining its safety level.

‘The question can be answered in two ways. It is not the age of an aircraft that makes it unsafe. It is the maintenance of the aero plane that make it safe or not and BA’S maintenance is top class. Our aero planes are maintained to the right standards, we have to checks of different categories coming up all the tine to the D- check, which comes out as new.

‘The problem with ageing aircraft is that they become more expensive to maintain as they get older. So, all our aircraft pass all safety standards,’ he said.