Nigerian government forced Virgin Nigeria to domestic wing eventually

By www.travelafricanews.com

After several months of disrespect for the Nigerian government, Virgin Nigeria has relocated to the domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA2) as directed by the federal government.

The relocation to the new terminal ended Virgin Nigeria arrogant posture of the past few months of refusing to relocate to the domestic wings like other airlines.

Although there had been apprehension in the aviation industry since the directive was given, especially following Virgin Nigeria's insistence that the case was still in court and would not want to do anything until its determination.

The recent development raised suspicion that the Federal Government might take decisive steps if the carrier fails to move its operations to the domestic terminal as the case, which is said to be in court, had since been vacated by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

At MMA2, there are signs that the Nigerian flag carrier would likely move tomorrow as about four counters have been reserved for the airline, with a big flat screen displaying its logo and operations by the counter.

Source at Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of the new terminal, said that the management of the airline had, Thursday last week inspected some of the offices reserved for their use.

Also last week, an emergency meeting of the board of the airline was held in Lagos where the decision to move was endorsed, it was learnt.

The movement of the airline to the area is expected to end several months of accusation and counter-accusations by the airline, the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney over the desirability of relocating to the new multi-billion naira airport terminal.

Virgin Nigeria claimed it has an MOU it reportedly signed with government to operate from where they are now at the international wing of the airport. But the government has cited security reasons for the fresh directive, which it said supercedes all other economic considerations.

Nigerians are of the view that instead of the airlines concentrating on improving on its services, it was dissipating energy on a trouble they should not have started in the first place.