British authorities have denied Nigerian airline, Air Peace, landing permit, stalling the proposed evacuation of Nigerians stranded in the United Kingdom amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The evacuation flight which was earlier scheduled to depart London Heathrow airport on Monday is now billed for Gatwick airport on Tuesday.
Spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Nwonye, said in a statement on Sunday, that a UK airline, Air Partner, will now operate the flight.
According to the statement, Air Peace has taken the burden of higher costs of contracting another carrier off the shoulder of the prospective evacuees instead of refunding payments.
The statement read, “It is pertinent to note that Air Peace gracefully contracted Air Partner to operate these charter flights on its behalf at a much higher cost than the ticket fares paid by the prospective evacuees.
“In the light of the foregoing, the Federal Government wishes to extend its appreciation to the chairman and management of Air Peace Limited for their commitments and patriotism in ensuring that our stranded nationals in the United Kingdom return home safely.”
Foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, tweeted saying the Federal Government “will review its air agreements with various countries as a result of the unacceptable treatment of Nigerian carriers during this pandemic.”
British Airways had only recently evacuated about 2,000 British nationals from Nigeria after receiving special landing rights from the Federal Government.
