Flag carrier to shed loss-making routes
Virgin Nigeria has announced it is to drop loss-making services to the UK and South Africa in order to strengthen its short-haul operations.
According to reports, one of the Nigerian flag carrier's main financial backers, United Bank for Africa (UBA), has been calling for a review of services between Lagos, London Gatwick and Johannesburg.
An airline spokesman said: "The decision to suspend both services is to enable us to review our entire long haul operations.
"In the mean time, our focus is on consolidating and continuing to expand our profitable domestic and regional flight operations."
Effective from January 27, tickets booked on flights after that date will be transferred to other airlines.
Virgin Nigeria has struggled on the competitive routes also serviced by larger British Airways and Virgin Atlantic aircraft.
That competition intensified further when Nigerian newcomer Arik Air announced it would fly London to Lagos using brand new A340-500 aircraft.
Virgin Atlantic is said to be looking to divest its 49% stake in Virgin Nigeria.
Virgin Atlantic's communications director Paul Charles told Reuters: "We support Virgin Nigeria's decision to focus on its profitable domestic and regional operations and believe it can be even more successful as a result,
"We remain in talks with interested parties about the divestment of a 42% stake."
Virgin Nigeria's regional and domestic services was launched in 2005. It recently purchased new Embraer aircraft to service and expand these operations.
www.virginnigeria.com