Nigerian airport officials have fined British Airways $135 million and Virgin Atlantic $100 million amid a dispute over ticket prices, the country's civil aviation authority said Thursday. Harold Demuren, head of the authority, told AFP the fines were "$135 million against BA, $100 million against Virgin Atlantic ....," alleging overcharging on tickets.
He said the airlines had received notice of the fines on Tuesday and were given 14 days to respond. "In addition, they must compensate all those passengers," Demuren said. A statement from the aviation authority confirmed the fines and alleged the two airlines had colluded on fares. "BA and VAA did in fact collude, and in furtherance of that collusion periodically increased (passenger fuel surcharges), including against Nigerians," the statement said. "BA and VAA operate approximately 90 percent of the direct flights between Nigeria and the UK.