FARE DISPARITY, NIGERIA AND GHANA - IT'S TIME FOR ANSWERS

                Until recently, that's about a week ago, I thought no one knew there was any disparity in fares charged on some airlines from Nigeria as against Ghana. This view was however laid to rest when the honourable house in Nigeria started a debate on it. Honestly, I do not know if the responsibility of talking about this issue is theirs but I agree it's time we ask questions and get answers. I have made a compilation of some fares on the two routes and I leave you to spot the difference, it's not so difficult to spot though.

BRITISH AIRWAYS
                         LAGOS - LONDON - LAGOS                      ACCRA - LONDON - ACCRA
                         *NUC /TOTAL FARE IN NAIRA               *NUC/ TOTAL FARE IN NAIRA
T CLASS                174,192/297,770                                                87,968/211,990
I CLASS                 499,117/657,012                                                183,068/337,840
D CLASS               715,469/884,182                                                 480,731/650,387
J CLASS                 973,349/1,154,956                                              655,556/833,952

VIRGIN ATLANTIC
K CLASS               169,437/292,778                                                   87,968/211990
Z CLASS                507,042/665,333                                                 183,068/337,840
D CLASS               731,319/900,824                                                  480,731/650,387
J CLASS                989,199/1,171,598                                               655,556/833,952

                           It is however instructive to note that the economy fares of these airlines are the same from both Lagos and Accra. This therefore makes one wonder if these exorbitant fares charged on the higher classes (premium economy to first class) is not as a result of the fact that they believe Nigeria has more (free) money than Ghana.
                         Whatever their reason(s) though, it's time to get some answers, they owe us that much.
*NUC-This is the actual ticket fare without the taxes paid to government   

WILL ONE PIECE DO IT?

                              Have you heard? You might not be able to carry more than one piece of 23kg on your next flight out of Nigeria? This I bet is news to most people but courtesy airlines like Virgin Atlantic, you might have to reconsider what to take with you on your next flight.
                              I have tried to think of why any airline should make any decision like this especially on a Nigerian route and  I have easily come to my answer, the need to make more money. A lot of Nigerians reading this piece will probably say "serves them right, they really can pack rubbish you know". This sort of line is what kept me thinking and asking, why wont a piece of 23kg do it for most Nigerian travellers? This is simple, most Nigerians are family visitors. If you look at the percentage of people travelling abroad in Nigeria, I'll safely say that 90% of them are family travellers, you don't go visiting families and not bring souveniers do you. Anyway, I think the time when we will begin to appraise our choice of things to pack and not to pack is right here.

Below is an update of the baggage news on some airlines

VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Economy- One checked in bag (23kg)   FREE
Premium Economy- Two checked in bags FREE
Upper Class - Three checked in bags FREE

EXTRA BAGS
          1st extra checked in bag (23kg) 48 dollars if bought online/60 dollars if bought at the airport.
          2nd extra checked in bag (23kg) 112 dollars if bought online/140dollars if bought at the airport*
*This price also apply to other susequent bags

BRITISH AIRWAYS
Economy - 2 checked in bags (23kg each) FREE
Premium - 2 checked in bags (23kg each) FREE
Business - 2 checked in bags (32kg each) FREE
First - 3 checked in bags (32kg each) FREE

EXTRA BAGS
1ST extra bag (23kg) - 119 dollars*
*This price also apply to subsequent bags

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