NIGERIAN CARRIER EXTENDS ROUTE DEAL

NIGERIA’S state carrier has agreed another four-month extension of its current joint venture accord with British Airways for the operation of the Lagos-London route. The debt-ridden Nigeria Airways sought the help of British Airways (BA) to run the route, but the agreement expired last October and had been extended for three months. Uncertainties have dogged the accord between the two airlines as Nigeria is reluctant to renew it. Aviation ministry officials said the government had already begun talks with Virgin Atlantic as a possible replacement for BA. – Reuters