Nigeria and BA in spat about ‘inflated airfares’

A battle royal appears to be brewing in Nigerian airspace with Nigeria giving British Airways and Virgin Atlantic 30 days to lower fares or face a ban from flying to the West African nation, its aviation minister said.
According to Reuters, Britain responded by saying it could take retaliatory action against Nigerian airlines if a ban was imposed. Nigeria's aviation minister said it was unfair BA and Virgin charged more to fly to Africa's biggest oil exporter than to neighbouring West African countries.
According to the Reuters article, Britain claims that its business and first class fares are more expensive to Nigeria than neighbouring countries because of high demand for those seats. It also said banning BA and Virgin would break a bilateral air services agreement.