Nigerian panel dismisses $235m fine on British Airways, Virgin Atlantic
A Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) formed panel has dismissed a $235 million fine slammed on air carriers – British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways who were alleged to be involved in price fixing.
The Vanguard News reports February 10, 2012 that the panel, chaired by retired Justice George Oguntade of the Supreme Court unanimously held that the two airlines had not breached any Nigerian law.
After the imposition of the fines by the aviation regulatory body, the carriers had raised objections to NCAA’s findings and subsequent imposition of penalties, including payment of $235 million in fines.
The objection forced the aviation agency to set up a judicial panel to look at the claims.
The Panel held that the NCAA Act of 2006 could not take action on a matter that was alleged to have been committed in 2004, the report said.
By Ekow Quandzie