British Airways ended months of speculation by announcing it was to merge with long-term Spanish partner Iberia.
Although both airlines will retain their identities, the deal - still to be approved by shareholders - will effectively create a giant new European airline.- courtesy press association
Air passengers in the country pay over N25 billion as airfares to British Airways annually. This is coming on the heels of the announcement by Arik Air that it is set to start flight operations into the United States of America February 2009.
Minister of state 1, air transportation, Felix Hyat, disclosed Tuesday at the signing of N35 billion aircraft facility agreement between Arik and a consortium of banks at Arik Air centre.
Hyat said the economy was losing such a huge sum to just one airline, while Nigerian airlines were not being encouraged, urging Nigerians to support its indigenous airlines to reduce capital flights and indigenous airlines allowed to grow.
The minister however urged the Nigerian carriers to compensate air passengers by bringing down airfares as soon as they begin to enjoy patronage, assuring the business community that the Federal Government was determined to see through private participation in the aviation industry.
"We will protect the investment that has been brought into the country."
Meanwhile, chairman of Arik, Joseph Arumemi-Johnson, disclosed that apart from starting the London route in November, it would also start operating into the US in February 2009.
Arumemi-Johnson assured Nigerians that it was time for air passengers to start travelling in comfort as against what was being offered on the routes presently.
"We are changing the whole game, it is time for Nigerians to travel in style, our seats are not going to be narrow, it would be roomier, we will also sell our culture to the rest of the world."
